Matthew 14,22-33

August 13, 2023 (Sunday)
Let us all remember that we are in the Holy Presence of God.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Gospel Matthew 14,22-33
Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed
the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When
evening came, he was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land,
for the wind was against them. And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. But
when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried
out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.” Peter
answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So, Peter
got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he noticed the strong
wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Jesus immediately
reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” When they got
into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of
God.”

Reflection:
Today’s Gospel illustrates how God guards and provides for us in challenging circumstances and Peter’s
limited faith matches our level of faith in the Lord Jesus throughout times of adversity and difficulty. Jesus’s
walking on the water serves as a visual representation of His divine nature while Peter’s lack of faith
highlights the evil of human nature and the harsh sea and wind are symbolic of life’s challenges. The
quintessence of this verse also affirms the certainty of God’s intervention and providence for his people.
The fact that we are only more open to receiving Christ during times of difficulty and struggle is shocking,
yet Christ assures us of his unfailing love throughout all of time. In his letter to a Brother, De La Salle also
echoes the core of today’s text, saying that “Remembering that God is with you will help and encourage
you in all that you do.” Furthermore, he asks us once more in his meditation 85.1, “How long has Jesus
been knocking at the entrance of your heart, longing to enter?” to which we ought to respond by reflecting
on our inner selves. (Br. Mark Mckeon, FSC)

Lasallian Guiding Principle:
LGP states that, the spirit of faith is a “spirit that allows one to discover God’s active presence in his Word,
in men and women, in the poor, in nature, in history, and in ourselves.” As Lasallians, we should be strong
in faith in fulfilling our mission. We should allow ourselves to continue our mission even in trying times of
our lives and remember that Jesus will provide His help for everything.

Prayer:
Synod on Synodality Prayer

We stand before You, Holy Spirit, as we gather together in Your name.
With You alone to guide us, Make Yourself at home in our hearts;
Teach us the way we must go and how we are to pursue it.
We are weak and sinful; do not let us promote disorder.
Do not let ignorance lead us down the wrong path nor partiality influence our actions.
Let us find in You our unity so that we may journey together to eternal life and not stray from the way of truth and what is right.
All this we ask of You, who are at work in every place and time, in the communion of the Father and the Son, forever and ever. Amen.

St. John Baptist de La Salle, pray for us.

St. Miguel Febres Cordero, pray for us.
Live Jesus in our hearts, forever!

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Sources:
C. (n.d.). Daily Gospel. Retrieved June 22, 2020, from https://dailygospel.org/M/AM/DLSU ITS, DLSU STRATCOM, DLSU IRPA. (n.d.). Guiding Principles of the Philippine Lasallian Family.
Retrieved June 22, 2020, from http://www.dlsu.edu.ph/inside/lasallian-guiding-principles/default.asp

Prepared by Pratik, Sati D., College of Humanities and Sciences- BS Biochemistry Student, through the DLSMHSI Lasallian Mission and Linkages and Advancement, Campus Ministry, and Chaplaincy

Our Daily Lasallian Gospel, Prayer and Reflection is a DLSMHSI gift to the Lasallian family for the 2019 Celebration of the Year of Vocation and the Tercentenary celebration of the death of our founder SJBDLS.

https://www.dlshsi.edu.ph/daily-lasallian-reflection-prayer #300LaSalle