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Message of the Day
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"Now prayer, in its general notion, may be defined by be an elevation of the mind to God . . . expressing, or at least implying, an entire dependence on Him as the author and fountain of all good, a will and readiness to give Him his due, which is no less than all love, all obedience, adoration, glory and worship, by humbling and annihilating the self and all creatures in His presence; and lastly, a desire and intention to aspire to an union
of spirit with Him."
- Augustine Baker - How does this compare to your own understanding and experience of prayer?
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Readings of the Day
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Numbers 12:1-13
Psalm 51:3-4, 5-6ab, 6cd-7, 12-13 Matthew 14:22-36 Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side while he would send the crowds away. After sending the crowds away he went up into the hills by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, while the boat, by now far out on the lake, was battling with a heavy sea,
for there was a head-wind. In the fourth watch of the night he went towards them, walking on the lake, and when the disciples saw him walking on the lake they were terrified. ‘It is a ghost’ they said, and cried out in fear. But at once Jesus called out to them, saying, ‘Courage! It is I! Do not be afraid.’ It was Peter who answered. ‘Lord,’ he said ‘if it is you, tell me to come to you across the water.’ ‘Come’ said Jesus. Then Peter got out of the boat and started walking towards Jesus across
the water, but as soon as he felt the force of the wind, he took fright and began to sink. ‘Lord! Save me!’ he cried. Jesus put out his hand at once and held him. ‘Man of little faith,’ he said ‘why did you doubt?’ And as they got into the boat the wind dropped. The men in the boat bowed down before him and said, ‘Truly, you are the Son of God.’ Having made the crossing, they came to land at Gennesaret. When the local people
recognised him they spread the news through the whole neighbourhood and took all that were sick to him, begging him just to let them touch the fringe of his cloak. And all those who touched it were completely
cured. USCCB lectionary
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Reflection on the Scripture
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“Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses.” —Numbers 12:1
Years ago, when the news broke of sexual scandals involving some Catholic clergy, a certain
man was publicly berating all priests, even on occasion during Holy Mass. This angered me to the point that I had to bring it to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. A holy priest I knew was hearing Confessions that day. With peaceful calmness, he quietly mentioned that it is a spiritual work of mercy to bear wrongs patiently (see Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2447). This in turn could be offered up as repair work: reparation to God and for all impacted by scandal. I considered this holy
priest to be, like Moses, “by far the meekest man on the face of the earth” (Nm 12:3). When wrongly rebuked, he responded by praying for the healing of his tormentor. Moses prayed for Miriam after she accused him, and she was healed (Nm 12:13ff). Jesus prayed and suffered for His accusers, and those who repented and received Him were given eternal life in Him. He bore wrongs patiently and completed the greatest work of mercy ever, dying for
His enemies (see Rm 5:8-10). Many religious sisters, brothers, and priests have dedicated their lives to making acts of reparation. Yet in America vocations, and thus repairers, are not keeping pace with the increase of sin. There’s a large backlog in God’s repair shop, and He’s always hiring. Who will work for Jesus by doing His repair work with patience, grace, and mercy? Be a “repairer of the breach” (Is 58:12). “Repair the house of your
God” (2 Chr 24:5). Prayer: Jesus, I will not let Your kingdom fall further into disrepair. Grace me to fix what is broken (Lk 4:18-19; Is 61:1-3). Promise: Jesus said: “It is I. Do not be afraid!” —Mt 14:27 Presentation Ministries
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Spiritual Reading
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The Practice of the Presence of God: The Best Rule of Holy Life, by Brother Lawrence (1611 - 1691). Christian Classics Ethereal Library.
https://ccel.org/ccel/lawrence/practice/practice Eleventh Letter To one who is in great pain. Whatever remedies
you make use of, they will succeed only so far as He permits. When pains come from GOD, He only can cure them. He often sends diseases of the body, to cure those of the soul. Comfort yourself with the sovereign Physician both of soul and body. I foresee that you will tell me that I am very much at my ease, that I eat and drink at the table of the LORD. YOU have reason: but think you that it would be a small pain to the
greatest criminal in the world, to eat at the king’s table, and be served by him, and notwithstanding such favours to be without assurance of pardon? I believe he would feel exceeding great uneasiness, and such as nothing could moderate, but only his trust in the goodness of his sovereign. So I assure you, that whatever pleasures I taste at the table of my King, yet my sins, ever present before my eyes, as well as the uncertainty of my pardon, torment me, though in truth that torment itself is
pleasing. |
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