Readings for August 9,2020 annotated, lectionary 115
This translation is from the New American Bible. The bolded hyperlinks will take you to additional translations, other relevant scriptures, or meditations on similar principles. Text highlighted in yellow tells us something about God’s nature or our relationship to Him. Text in green tells us about something God wants us to do. Text in red describes what God wants us to avoid. Commentary is in blue.
Reading 1
At the mountain of God, Horeb, Elijah came to a cave where he took shelter.
Then the LORD said to him, “Go outside and stand on the mountain before the LORD; the LORD will be passing by.”
A strong and heavy wind was rending the mountains and crushing rocks before the LORD—but the LORD was not in the wind.
After the wind there was an earthquake—but the LORD was not in the earthquake.
After the earthquake there was fire— but the LORD was not in the fire.
After the fire there was a tiny whispering sound. When he heard this, Elijah hid his face in his cloak and went and stood at the entrance of the cave.
This reading is from a larger context: Elijah’s confrontation with the prophets of Baal, his ending a drought, evil leaders’ hostile response to Elijah’s actions, and Elijah’s fleeing those leaders. See 1 Kings 18 & 19. That broader context helps us see several parallels between this reading and today’s gospel.
There is a factual/sequential/chronological parallel between this reading and today’s gospel:
- In both, faithful servants of God first experience/are part of mighty acts of God. See 1 Kings 18, Matthew 14:13-21.
- In both, those servants experience difficulty shortly after those mighty acts of God. See 1 Kings 19:1-2, Matthew 14:24.
- In both, God comes to them in the midst of their difficulties.
Another parallel is that in both this reading and today’s gospel the otherwise faithful servants have a temporary lapse of faith. See 1 Kings 19:3-4, 10, 14, Matthew 14:29-32.
A third parallel is that God does not abandon or punish the servants for their lapse, but instead keeps using them. See1 Kings 19:15-21, Mathew 14:34-36. We see that patience and grace throughout the gospels and scripture generally. See Fear does not equal Failure and Doubt does not equal Disqualification and Wisdom Principles—God Loves and Calls Us to Him, In Spite of our Sin.
Responsorial Psalm
R. (8) Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.
I will hear what God proclaims; the LORD — for he proclaims peace.
Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him, glory dwelling in our land.
I will hear what God proclaims; the LORD — for he proclaims peace.
Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him, glory dwelling in our land.
R. Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.
Kindness and truth shall meet; justice and peace shall kiss.
Truth shall spring out of the earth, and justice shall look down from heaven.
R. Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.
The LORD himself will give his benefits; our land shall yield its increase.
Justice shall walk before him, and prepare the way of his steps.
R. Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.
Reading 2
I speak the truth in Christ, I do not lie; my conscience joins with the Holy Spirit in bearing me witness that I have great sorrow and constant anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my own people, my kindred according to the flesh. They are Israelites; theirs the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises; theirs the patriarchs, and from them, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.
Alleluia
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I wait for the Lord; my soul waits for his word.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I wait for the Lord; my soul waits for his word.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
After he had fed the people, Jesus made the disciples get into a boat and precede him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds.
We know from Mathew 14:34-36 that Jesus had a reason for getting the disciples to move on; He wanted to minister to another set of folks.
Jesus requires us to keep moving forward in His service; He wants more than our simply reveling in/savoring His blessings.
After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When it was evening he was there alone.
Jesus is practicing here what he preached in Matthew 6:5-6.
Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore, was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it.
.
Those who serve Jesus will have to deal with hard things. Jesus and scripture are frank about that. See Matthew 16:33, Sirach 2:1.
During the fourth watch of the night, he came toward themwalking on the sea. When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified. “It is a ghost,” they said, and they cried out in fear. At once Jesus spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”
Jesus comes to us in the midst of the difficulties that we encounter in His service.
Jesus does not want us to be afraid, but instead to focus on Him. See Matthew 6:25-34, John 14:1 & 27, Matthew 16:33.
Peter said to him in reply, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”
He said, “Come.”
Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus stretched out his handand caught Peter, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
This illustrates why God does not want us to be afraid: it hinders our ability to utilize the helps/powers/gifts He gives us.
After they got into the boat, the wind died down. Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying, “Truly, you are the Son of God.”
Additional materials on today’s gospel are set out in Readings for August 3, 2020 annotated, lectionary 407/408.
Then the LORD said to him, “Go outside and stand on the mountain before the LORD; the LORD will be passing by.”
your kindness
your kindness
your salvation.
he proclaims peace.
Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him
he proclaims peace.
Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him
dwelling in our land
your kindness
your salvation.
your kindness
your salvation.
The LORD himself will give his benefits
Justice shall walk before him
The LORD himself will give his benefits
Justice shall walk before him
your kindness
your salvation.
After he had fed the people, Jesus made the disciples get into a boat and precede him to the other side
he went up on the mountain by himself to pray
he was there alone.
he came toward them
Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”
he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus stretched out his handcaught Peter
After they got into the boat, the wind died down
Truly, you are the Son of God
hear what God proclaims
fear him
wait for the Lord
waits for his word.Take courage
he cried out, “Lord, save me
did him homage
do not be afraid
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