MY daily reflection and prayer:
Tuesday, August 2, 2016
Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Dear my friends,
Here is the Gospel for us today according to St. Matthew 14: 22-36
Jesus made the disciples get into the 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. 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.
This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.
***
THE message of the Gospel reading today is very clear and distinc. We have to be in silent and prayer that we can do charity to others suffering.
Jesus Christ has given us a model of it. He dismissed the crowds and went up on the mountain by himself to pray. After praying, he healed 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.
So, we learn today from Jesus Christ who is willing to leave the comfort of others’ company to be alone with God. There he is in silence without others, but with the Father.
For some people silence may lead briefly to a certain loneliness and interior emptiness. So they may feel the impulse to seek out others to anesthetize themselves from the pain of being alone. In the case, we need to persevere in silent prayer and adoration.
In the Perpetual Adoration of the Eucharist, we learn to imitate Jesus Christ to be alone with God. While adoring him we pray that this suffering from silence can turn into joy and peace and may be fruitfull in our services. Do we always want to remain with God and learn to enjoy his presence in quiet prayer and adoration?
Let’s pray: Lord Jesus Christ, may our adoration and prayer lead us to step out from our comfort zone every day. Give us the faith and courage to launch into the deep to begin to pray with all our heart now and forever. Amen.
Kredit foto: Ilustrasi (Ist)
