GOSPEL POWER l AUGUST 2, 2022 - Tuesday of 18th Week in Ordinary Time

Saint Eusebius of Vercelli, bishop l Saint Peter Julian Eymard, priest

Gospel: Mt 14:22-36 

22Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on  ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23And after  he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to  pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24but by this time the  boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was  against them. 25And early in the morning he came walking toward  them on the sea. 26But when the disciples saw him walking on the  sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in  fear. 27But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it  is I; do not be afraid.” 28Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come  to you on the water.” 29He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat,  started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. 30But when he  noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to  sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31Jesus immediately reached out  his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did  you doubt?” 32When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33And  those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of  God.”34When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret. 35After the people of that place recognized him, they sent word  throughout the region and brought all who were sick to him, 36and  begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak; and all  who touched it were healed

When Jesus tells the terrified disciples, “It is I,” the  original Greek expression is equivalent to “I AM,”  which is the self-identification of God to Moses in the  burning bush (cf. Ex 3:14). Thus, this Gospel episode is a theophany,  a manifestation of Jesus’ divinity — for “only God marches on the  waves of the sea” (cf. Job 9:8). So, when Peter tells Jesus, “…if it is  you, command me to come to you on the water,” he is, in effect, daring  Jesus to give him, as proof of his claim to divinity, the ability to walk  on water. Jesus, knowing Peter’s impulsive character, gives in to his  demand, so that, not only Peter but also the other disciples and all of  us who read this Gospel today, may learn the lesson never to test God.  The only proper response to God is faith. One thing good about Peter  is his humility. Realizing the foolishness of his demand as he begins  to sink, he pleads to be rescued from the situation. Who can save us  from our folly if not the Lord himself? Lord Jesus, forgive us for the times when we sought signs to prop up our  feeble faith. Increase our faith! Amen.