This week’s Gospel message for Sunday, August 13th is from Matthew 14:22-33.
After he had fed the people, Jesus made the disciples get into a boat and precede him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray… Meanwhile the boat…was being tossed about by the waves…When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified…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, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught Peter, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
Reflection
“Peter is honestly trying to show faith and truly believes in Jesus’ power. But he becomes frightened. On the night he denied Jesus three times, he again became frightened. Peter’s fears are obstacles to his faith. Only after his faith is strengthened by Jesus’ victory over death and the gift of the Holy Spirit does Peter publicly testify immediately and courageously to his faith in the Son of God. Our lives can be like a boat tossed about by the waves, leaving us fearful and exhausted. But recall Jesus’ final words to those he loved: ‘I am with you always’ (Matthew 28:20).” SOURCE: Pastoral Patterns, Autumn 2023
DAILY READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Monday Deuteronomy 10:12-22; Matthew 17:22-27
Saint Maximilian Kolbe, Priest and Martyr (Memorial) – Born in Russian Poland, Raimund Kolbe joined the Franciscans and took the name Maximilian Maria. After the Nazi conquest of Poland, he helped thousands of refugees, including Jews. Arrested by the Gestapo, he was send to Auschwitz. There, a prisoner escaped and, in retaliation, ten men were chosen at random to die. Maximilian offered to take the place of a young father and was executed.
Tuesday Revelation 11:19a;12:1-6a, 10ab; 1 Corinthians 15:20-27; Luke 1:39-56
The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Solemnity) – This solemnity celebrates the bodily taking up of the Blessed Virgin Mary into heaven at the end of her earthly life. This doctrine was dogmatically defined in 1950 by Pope Pius XII, but accounts of the assumption of Mary into heaven survive in apocryphal narratives from the third and fourth centuries.
Wednesday Deuteronomy 34:1-12; Matthew 18:15-20
Thursday Joshua 3:7-10a, 11, 13-17; Matthew 18:21—19:1
Friday Joshua 24:1-13; Matthew 19:3-12
Saturday Joshua 24:14-29; Matthew 19:13-15
SOURCE: Living with Christ, August 2023