Daily Mass Readings for Tuesday, 8 August 2023
First Reading: Numbers 12: 1-13
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 51: 3-4, 5-6ab, 6cd-7, 12-13
Alleluia: John 1: 49b
Gospel: Matthew 14: 22-36
Tuesday, 8 August 2023
First Reading
Numbers 12: 1-13
Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses on the pretext
of the marriage he had contracted with a Cushite woman.
They complained, "Is it through Moses alone that the LORD speaks?
Does he not speak through us also?"
And the LORD heard this.
Now, Moses himself was by far the meekest man on the face of the earth.
So at once the LORD said to Moses and Aaron and Miriam,
"Come out, you three, to the meeting tent."
And the three of them went.
Then the LORD came down in the column of cloud,
and standing at the entrance of the tent,
called Aaron and Miriam.
When both came forward, he said,
"Now listen to the words of the LORD:
Should there be a prophet among you,
in visions will I reveal myself to him,
in dreams will I speak to him;
not so with my servant Moses!
Throughout my house he bears my trust:
face to face I speak to him;
plainly and not in riddles.
The presence of the LORD he beholds.
Why, then, did you not fear to speak against my servant Moses?"
So angry was the LORD against them that when he departed,
and the cloud withdrew from the tent,
there was Miriam, a snow-white leper!
When Aaron turned and saw her a leper, he said to Moses,
"Ah, my lord! Please do not charge us with the sin
that we have foolishly committed!
Let her not thus be like the stillborn babe
that comes forth from its mother's womb
with its flesh half consumed."
Then Moses cried to the LORD, "Please, not this! Pray, heal her!"
Responsorial Psalm
Ps 51:3-4, 5-6ab, 6cd-7, 12-13
Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness;
in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense.
Thoroughly wash me from my guilt
and of my sin cleanse me.
Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
For I acknowledge my offense;
and my sin is before me always:
"Against you only have I sinned;
and done what is evil in your sight."
Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
That you may be justified in your sentence,
vindicated when you condemn.
Indeed, in guilt was I born,
and in sin my mother conceived me.
Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
A clean heart create for me, O God,
and a steadfast spirit renew within me.
Cast me not off from your presence,
and your Holy Spirit take not from me.
Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
Alleluia
Jn 1:49b
Alleluia, alleluia.
Rabbi, you are the Son of God;
you are the King of Israel.
Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
Mt 14:22-36
Jesus made the disciples get into a boat
and precede him to the other side of the sea,
while he dismissed the crowds.
After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray.
When it was evening he was there alone.
Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore,
was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it.
During the fourth watch of the night,
he came toward them, walking on the sea.
When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified.
"It is a ghost," they said, and they cried out in fear.
At once Jesus spoke to them, "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid."
Peter said to him in reply,
"Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water."
He said, "Come."
Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus.
But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened;
and, beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!"
Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him,
and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"
After they got into the boat, the wind died down.
Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying,
"Truly, you are the Son of God."
After making the crossing, they came to land at Gennesaret.
When the men of that place recognized him,
they sent word to all the surrounding country.
People brought to him all those who were sick
and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak,
and as many as touched it were healed.
Todays Reflection
Facing Your Fears
In the Gospel passage, Peter and the other disciples were frightened by the strong winds and waves in the Sea of Galilee. Jesus, who had been alone on a mountain, came walking on the water towards them. They cried out, believing it was a ghost, but Jesus calmed them and called them to courage and trust.
From the perspective of our fallen human nature, fear often stems from a lack of faith in God and His protective care. However, from the full Truth, the disciples had no need to fear and had every reason to rejoice and be at peace. Jesus, the Great I AM, was coming to protect and care for them, leading them safely to shore. The last word in the passage is a command that Jesus speaks to all of us when we fall into fear and worry. He says, "Come," which is a good word to prayfully meditate upon during every struggle and fear we endure. Reflect on this passage and see the waves, wind, and darkness as symbols of whatever troubles you the most. Close your eyes and see Jesus, the Great I AM, coming to you. Gaze at Him and hear Him tell you to trust Him. Hear Him say, "Come." Peter initially trusted and began walking on water when he came to Jesus, but soon allowed his fear to set in and took his eyes off him. Turn your eyes to Jesus, keep them firmly fixed on Him, ignore temptations in life that lead to fear, and trust in God. In conclusion, the Gospel passage serves as a reminder that we are all worthy of all our trust and trust in God. As we face challenges and fears, we should turn to Jesus, trust in Him, and trust in Him.
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