Tuesday, August 3, 2021

Saints + Scripture

Simplex Edition | Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea máxima culpa!

'Tis the Tuesday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time (Tempus per annum, "time through the year"): Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Tuesday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time
The Book of Numbers, chapter twelve, verses one thru thirteen;
Psalm Fifty-one (R/. cf. three[a]), verses three & four, five & six(a/b), six(c/d) & seven, & twelve & thirteen;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter fourteen, verses twenty-two thru thirty-six.

Commentary: Gospel reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, our Gospel today is the story of Jesus walking on the water. Water is, throughout the Scriptures, a symbol of danger. At the very beginning, the Spirit of the Lord hovered over the surface of the waters. This signals God’s lordship over all of the powers of disorder.

The boat, with Peter and the other disciples, is evocative of the Church. It moves through the waters, as the Church will move through time. Storms—chaos, corruption, stupidity, danger, persecution—will inevitably arise.

Now, during the fourth watch of the night, which is to say the darkest time of the night, Jesus comes walking on the sea. This is meant to be an affirmation of his divinity: just as the Spirit of God hovered over the waters at the beginning, so Jesus hovers over them now. So he says to his terrified disciples: “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” But even more than that: you can participate in my power. “Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus.” This is the story of all the saints.
Video reflection by Father John M. McKenzie (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops): Daily Reflection.

Video reflection by Rob Corzine (Saint Paul Center for Biblical Theology): Daily Reflection.

Video reflection by Doctor Tim Gray (Augustine Institute/Formed.org): Daily Reflection.

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