Daily Gospel Reflection – Memorial of Saint Dominic, Priest
August 8, 2023
Memorial of Saint Dominic, Priest
Gospel: Mt 14:22-36
Jesus made the disciples get into a boat
and precede him to the other side of the sea,
while he dismissed the crowds.
After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray.
When it was evening he was there alone.
Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore,
was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it.
During the fourth watch of the night,
he came toward them, walking on the sea.
When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified.
"It is a ghost," they said, and they cried out in fear.
At once Jesus spoke to them, "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid."
Peter said to him in reply,
"Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water."
He said, "Come."
Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus.
But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened;
and, beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!"
Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him,
and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"
After they got into the boat, the wind died down.
Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying,
"Truly, you are the Son of God."
After making the crossing, they came to land at Gennesaret.
When the men of that place recognized him,
they sent word to all the surrounding country.
People brought to him all those who were sick
and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak,
and as many as touched it were healed.
*United States Conference of Catholic
Bishop Robert Barron
Friends, in today’s Gospel, Jesus comes to his disciples walking on the water. Whenever we encounter the disciples in a boat, we are dealing with the Church, the barque of Peter. Here we see the beginning of the Church’s journey through time.
Winds and waves toss the barque. Anyone acquainted with Church history knows the truth of this—and it’s a special comfort for those enduring our tumultuous times. We are engaged in a spiritual warfare, a battle not against flesh and blood but against powers and principalities.
Early in the morning, the disciples see Jesus coming toward them, “walking on the sea.” Terrified, they cry out. But Jesus calms them with the words, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” Then Peter says, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”
Peter stands preeminently for the Church across the ages. And here is the Church at its best, reaching out in confidence to Christ. The fruit of that confidence is participation in the Lord’s power: “Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus.” Relying on our own power, we can do nothing. But relying on him, we can do anything.
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