Scripture for Aug. 8, 2006. Feast of St. Dominic

Scripture: Jeremiah 30:1-2,12-15, 18-22 , Psalm 102, Matthew 14:22-36:

Normally the prophet speaks out and boldly proclaims the word of God for the nation. Today God tells him to put the oracles given to him in writing, that is, to print the words of the Lord on a scroll. This may indicate that parts of the present book of Jeremiah were separate from what we now have as a whole work called Jeremiah. In the oracles we see and hear that God will restore Jacob (meaning Israel in the north, and Judah in the south). The oracle is summed up in the last sentence for today's reading which is a covenant of love and protection on the part of God and a call to fidelity on the part of "Jacob". We, too, are part of this covenant : "You shall be my people, and I will be your God. The Psalm response serves as a commentary on the oracles in this chapter of Jeremiah: "The Lord will build up Zion again, and appear in all his glory." Psalm 102.

I found the Gospel suggesting to me the themes of prayer and healing. Jesus goes off to a lonely place and prays (how much more should we pray if he had to pray!). He then walks on the waters of the Sea of Galilee and Peter, who is the featured apostle in Matthew, tries to walk toward Jesus, but he sinks because of his fear and lack of strong trust and faith in Jesus. As he falters and is drowning, the Lord saves him. As Jesus and the disciples come to the shore, the crowd is already waiting for him; those who have faith in him do touch Jesus and he heals them.

O God, give me the trust and confidence in your providential care and love so that my faith in you and your Son may grow bolder. I need this especially in times of suffering, frustration, and temptation...all of which are like the troubled waters the apostles were in on that Galilean lake. Amen.