Daily Readings - Mon Aug 07 2023
Numbers
4And the mixt multitude that was among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat?5We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlick:6But now our soul is dried away: there is nothing at all, beside this manna, before our eyes.7And the manna was as coriander seed, and the colour thereof as the colour of bdellium.8And the people went about, and gathered it, and ground it in mills, or beat it in a mortar, and baked it in pans, and made cakes of it: and the taste of it was as the taste of fresh oil.9And when the dew fell upon the camp in the night, the manna fell upon it.10Then Moses heard the people weep throughout their families, every man in the door of his tent: and the anger of the LORD was kindled greatly; Moses also was displeased.11And Moses said unto the LORD, Wherefore hast thou afflicted thy servant? and wherefore have I not found favour in thy sight, that thou layest the burden of all this people upon me?12Have I conceived all this people? have I begotten them, that thou shouldest say unto me, Carry them in thy bosom, as a nursing father beareth the sucking child, unto the land which thou swarest unto their fathers?13Whence should I have flesh to give unto all this people? for they weep unto me, saying, Give us flesh, that we may eat.14I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me.15And if thou deal thus with me, kill me, I pray thee, out of hand, if I have found favour in thy sight; and let me not see my wretchedness.
Matthew
22And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.23And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.24But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.25And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.26And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.27But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.28And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.29And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.30But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.31And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?32And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.33Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.34And when they were gone over, they came into the land of Gennesaret.35And when the men of that place had knowledge of him, they sent out into all that country round about, and brought unto him all that were diseased;36And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly 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.