Daily Readings - Mon Aug 07 2023
Numbers
4So then, the mix of common people, who had ascended with them, were enflamed with desire, and sitting and weeping, with the sons of Israel joining them, they said, "Who will give us flesh to eat5We remember the fish that we ate freely in Egypt; we call to mind the cucumbers, and melons, and leeks, and onions, and garlic6Our life is dry; our eyes look out to see nothing but manna.7Now the manna was like coriander seed, but with the color of bdellium8And the people wandered about, gathering it, and they crushed it with a millstone, or ground it with a mortar; then they boiled it in a pot, and made biscuits out of it, with a taste like bread made with oil9And when the dew descended in the night over the camp, the manna descended together with it10And so, Moses heard the people weeping by their families, each one at the door of his tent. And the fury of the Lord was greatly enflamed. And to Moses also the matter seemed intolerable11And so he said to the Lord: "Why have you afflicted your servant? Why do I not find favor before you? And why have you imposed the weight of this entire people upon me12Could I have conceived this entire multitude, or have given birth to them, so that you might say to me: Carry them in your bosom, as a nursemaid usually carries a little infant, and bring them into the land, about which you have sworn to their fathers13From where would I obtain the flesh to give to so great a multitude? They weep against me, saying, ‘Give us flesh, so that we may eat.14I alone am unable to sustain this entire people, because it is too heavy for me15But if it seems to you otherwise, I beg you to put me to death, and so may I find grace in your eyes, lest I be afflicted with such evils.
Matthew
22And Jesus promptly compelled his disciples to climb into the boat, and to precede him in crossing the sea, while he dismissed the crowds23And having dismissed the multitude, he ascended alone onto a mountain to pray. And when evening arrived, he was alone there24But in the midst of the sea, the boat was being tossed about by the waves. For the wind was against them25Then, in the fourth watch of the night, he came to them, walking upon the sea26And seeing him walking upon the sea, they were disturbed, saying: "It must be an apparition." And they cried out, because of fear27And immediately, Jesus spoke to them, saying: "Have faith. It is I. Do not be afraid.28Then Peter responded by saying, "Lord, if it is you, order me come to you over the waters.29And he said, "Come." And Peter, descending from the boat, walked over the water, so as to go to Jesus30Yet truly, seeing that the wind was strong, he was afraid. And as he began to sink, he cried out, saying: "Lord, save me.31And immediately Jesus extended his hand and took hold of him. And he said to him, "O little in faith, why did you doubt?32And when they had ascended into the boat, the wind ceased33Then those who were in the boat drew near and adored him, saying: "Truly, you are the Son of God.34And having crossed the sea, they arrived in the land of Genesaret35And when the men of that place had recognized him, they sent into all that region, and they brought to him all who had maladies36And they petitioned him, so that they might touch even the hem of his garment. And as many as touched it were made whole
Sermon
Dear friends,
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful narratives that invite us to reflect on trust and faith in the face of adversity. The first reading from Numbers recounts the Israelites’ journey through the wilderness, where they express dissatisfaction with the manna provided by God, longing instead for the comforts of Egypt. This passage highlights their struggle with gratitude and trust in God’s providence. Moses, burdened by their complaints, turns to God for relief, illustrating the human frailty even in leadership.
The Gospel from Matthew presents a different yet complementary scenario. After feeding the multitude, Jesus sends His disciples into a stormy sea while He prays alone. In the midst of turmoil, Jesus walks on water, and Peter, though initially faithful, falters when fear overtakes him. Jesus’ rescue of Peter underscores the importance of unwavering faith, even in the face of doubt and fear.
These readings remind us that faith and gratitude are essential in navigating life’s challenges. Like the Israelites, we may sometimes yearn for past comforts, forgetting God’s present provisions. Like Peter, we may waver in our trust when circumstances seem insurmountable. Yet, Jesus’ words to Peter, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” encourage us to anchor our trust in Him.
In our daily lives, we face storms—be they personal struggles or global crises. Let us recall that Jesus is ever-present, walking beside us, even when the winds howl. Let us strive to maintain faith, knowing that His hand is always outstretched to save us. May we cultivate gratitude for His daily bread and trust in His divine plan, even when the path seems uncertain.
As we navigate our own wilderness journeys, may we remember that true strength lies not in our own abilities but in our willingness to trust in God’s providence. Let us approach each challenge with the courage of Peter, stepping out in faith, and when we falter, may we hear Jesus’ gentle rebuke, urging us to deepen our trust in Him. In doing so, we find peace amidst life’s tempests and grow closer to the heart of God.