Gospel, Matthew 14:22-33 Jesus sent the apostles ahead before sunset. The night was divided into four watches of about three hours each. That means that the apostles had been out in the dark fighting strong headwinds for over nine hours when Jesus came walking upon the surface of the water. They were crossing from the eastern shore to Capernaum on the northwestern corner of the Sea of Galilee. This means that the wind was blowing in from the Mediterranean Sea about 35 miles away. Sustained westerly winds off the Mediterranean bring a lot of moisture. We can assume that, in addition to the winds, the skies were quite overcast and the shoreline of the 8.5 by 11 mile lake was obscured by either rain or fog. As a result, the disciples could see no lights from the lakeside villages and could take their bearing only on the direction of the wind. The disciples were tense and worn out. The sight of a ghost may have seemed a foreboding of impending death. Little wonder they all began to cry out in fear. If I had been in Peter’s position when Jesus identified himself, I would have asked him to come over to the boat rather than have me come across the waters. The story is much better, however, given the nature of his request. The force of the storm does not immediately abate, but as long as Peter keeps his focus on Jesus, he does okay. When he turns his focus again to the storm, he begins to sink. Given that the storm represents the problems we face in life, we too will sink if we let the storm hold our focus. As with Peter, our hope is to trust in Jesus and keep our eyes fixed on him as we pass through the storm. Note that the storm doesn't die down when Jesus takes Peter's hand. It is not until they get back into the boat. Jesus doesn't always take away the problems of life but he will accompany us through them.
Reading 1, 1 Kings 19:9a,11-13a Horeb is another name for Mt. Sinai, the place at which God had given the law to Moses. Elijah is called by God to renew God’s people in the law. Thus, he goes to the same mountain. The two figures of Moses and Elijah will appear with Jesus on the mountain of Transfiguration as a way of expressing that Jesus is the fulfillment of the law of God. Elijah senses God present in a tiny whisper. Sometimes it is easy to discern God’s presence in the big events of life. Our challenge is to discern the voice of God in the less dramatic and obvious moments…the tiny whispering sounds.
Reading II, Romans 9:1-5 The Israelite people were chosen by God to be the instruments through whom God would communicate the divine reality and blessings. Paul has come to believe that Jesus is the fulfillment and completion of that blessed relationship. He longs that his fellow countrymen and women would take the final step and come to Jesus. So important is that to Paul that he says he would be willing to forego that greatest blessing if, by doing so, his fellow Jews would come to be one with Jesus Christ.
Venice resident Rhonda DeVictor said she noticed the empty lot when she first moved into the neighborhood 12 years ago
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