THE WORD BECAME FLESH

Tuesday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time 

Jer. 30:1-2, 12-15, 18-22

Ps 102

Matt 14:22-36

Courage, it is I

In today’s gospel reading (Mt 14:22-36), we find one of many instances in the gospels of Jesus going up into the hills of Galilee by himself to pray, having sent his disciples off in a boat to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. Jesus spent a lot of time in the company of his disciples, preparing them for their future mission. Yet, he also needed to be on his own before God his Father. In such moments of quiet, personal, prayer he drew strength from his relationship with God for the work that God had given him. He was also opening himself up to God’s will for his life, seeking to discern what God was asking him to do. We too need to take time alone with the Lord in prayer, to discern his will for our lives, and to receive the strength we need to take the path the Lord is calling us to take. When we turn aside by ourselves to pray, we are not turning our back on others or the world. Rather, we are opening ourselves up to the Lord so that we can relate to others and the world as he would. When Jesus turned aside to pray by himself, his prayer did not remove him from others. It certainly did not remove him from his disciples. 

In today’s gospel reading, while at prayer he became aware of his disciples struggling in the boat against a headwind, with a heavy sea. In drawing close to his Father in prayer, he was remaining close to his disciples. From his prayer, he came to them in their struggle, calling on them to have courage and eventually joining them in the boat and bringing them through the storm. Saint Paul tells us that the risen Lord is always interceding for us. His heavenly prayer brings him close to us, as his earthly prayer brought him close to his disciples. 

Our prayer too will bring us close to others in love. It will create an opening in our lives for the Lord to draw close to others through us.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, help me to trust you always and to never doubt your presence and your power to help me. Amen.

+Remain blessed