August 13 2023: Bible Verse of the Day – Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A, Tuesday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time, Wednesday after Epiphany – Jesus Walks on Water – Matthew 14:22-36, Mark 6:45-56, John 6:16-24
26 When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified. “It is a ghost,” they said, and they cried out in fear.
Matthew 14:22-36; Mark 6:45-56; John 6:16-24
27 At once Jesus spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”
28 Peter said to him in reply, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”
29 He said, “Come.” Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus.
30 But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Catholic Readings For Today
Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
Tuesday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time Year 1
Tuesday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time Year 2
Bible Verse of the Day Reflections
St. Peter recognizes Jesus and immediately knows that He is the Lord. He gathers courage and tells Jesus, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”
Jesus in His eternal goodness invites Peter to come. This is a very good example of how our relationship with the Lord should be.
We should always, like St. Peter, trust that Jesus is almighty and all-powerful. Peter actually walks for a distance, but after the sea gets more stormy his faith in Jesus’ power begins to falter. He begins to sink but alas! Jesus is right there to rescue him.
This story of Peter and Jesus is the exact replica of our own life experiences. It shows us of how often we make resolutions of how we will live under the power of Jesus, but when worldly troubles overwhelm us we forget that Jesus is there for us. We lose faith in Jesus and start falling into the trap of our own fear and insecurities.
But later on, after we are battered and nearly ruined by earthly troubles, we realize that Jesus is still there for us and we go calling on Him to rescue us. The good news is that Jesus is always there to rescue us when we cry out to Him for help.
Maybe someone may say that if Peter was good, he shouldn’t have lost faith in Jesus. That it was wrong for him to falter in his faith! But the reality is that, in this world, we will always have our ups and downs.
There are times we will have our faith high and sometimes low. But the constant thing is that Jesus, in His everlasting mercy, goodness, and compassion, will always be there for us to lift us up when our faith falters and we cry out to Him for help.
Therefore, examine your conscience and understand how and when you falter in your faith in Jesus Christ. Once you understand, you will always remember to cry out for help to Jesus when you are in problems and also give praise and glory to Him during calmness and tranquility.
Understand that Jesus will always be there to hold your hand when you fall because He is full of mercy, love, and compassion.
Prayer: Lord, hold my hand all the time especially when my faith falters. Help me to always turn to you in all circumstances and always trust that you will be there reaching out for my hand because you are my protector and my refuge. Amen.
Bible Verse of the Day in Pictures
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