Tuesday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Today’s first reading from the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah appears to tell of doom and destruction. The tone quickly changes, since we are reading only an excerpt of a much larger passage. In our passage today, God speaks of the destruction, but then God foretells a time of healing and renewal. Yes the people will suffer in exile, but then they shall return to the land and the city shall be rebuilt. In the broader context including the rest of the passages from chapter 30 which have not been included in our reading, we see that the sufferings depicted are themselves a part of the healing. Israel is being chastised, disciplined, punished, as a child, but not destroyed completely. Israel has done wrong, and will have to reap the consequences. But, God, as Israel’s Father, will have mercy on them and will not destroy them but will restore them.
This reading is an example of God meeting His people in the midst of their suffering, carrying them through it, preserving them so that they are not destroyed, and showering them with His abundant blessings. The blessings of return from exile are also the focus of today’s responsorial Psalm, Psalm 102, which fits nicely with the previous reading from the book of Jeremiah. If you want to read further about what this return shall look like, continue reading Jeremiah into the next chapter, chapter 31. What we find there is that God has something far greater in mind than simply rebuilding the city and the temple, but He envisions a new exodus event where He will make a new covenant with His people. We believe this foretells of the coming of Jesus Who effected a new exodus with His death and resurrection.
In today’s Gospel reading from St. Matthew’s Gospel, we see God again coming through the turmoil to bring peace. This time the turmoil is a literal storm which is rocking the disciples’ boat. Jesus walks on water and calms the storm. We catch a glimpse of St. Peter’s faith, both its strength and weakness, in this passage, as St. Peter walks on water toward Jesus, but then, when his faith falters, he begins to sink. These passages from Jeremiah and from the Gospel of St. Matthew, are wonderful images of the interior life. Often we encounter challenges, obstacles in our daily lives. With a supernatural vision we can see that these very obstacles can be the springboards to our sanctification. Obstacles met and embraced, and united to Christ’s sacrifice on the cross made present throughout the world at every Mass, can become powerful means for our own growth in holiness and can become powerful prayers offered for others.
When we encounter suffering, great or small, or when we find ourselves afraid or anxious, like the disciples on the boat, we need to approach Jesus as St. Peter did. Unlike St. Peter, however, we need to exercise an unwavering trust. If we turn to Jesus, He will help us through the difficulties. And even if, like St. Peter, our faith wavers, Jesus will lift us from the water after our fall. Let us then stay close to Jesus so that we may face the challenges ahead with faith and hope.
- Jeff Morrow