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Saint Matthew 14:22-36.

by Daily Gospel | Source: Daily Gospel

Book of Numbers 11:4b-15.

The foreign elements among them were so greedy for meat that even the Israelites lamented again, "Would that we had meat for food!

We remember the fish we used to eat without cost in Egypt, and the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic.

But now we are famished; we see nothing before us but this manna."

Manna was like coriander seed and had the appearance of bdellium.

When they had gone about and gathered it up, the people would grind it between millstones or pound it in a mortar, then cook it in a pot and make it into loaves, which tasted like cakes made with oil.

At night, when the dew fell upon the camp, the manna also fell.

When Moses heard the people, family after family, crying at the entrance of their tents, so that the LORD became very angry, he was grieved.

"Why do you treat your servant so badly?" Moses asked the LORD. "Why are you so displeased with me that you burden me with all this people?

Was it I who conceived all this people? or was it I who gave them birth, that you tell me to carry them at my bosom, like a foster father carrying an infant, to the land you have promised under oath to their fathers?

Where can I get meat to give to all this people? For they are crying to me, 'Give us meat for our food.'

I cannot carry all this people by myself, for they are too heavy for me.

If this is the way you will deal with me, then please do me the favor of killing me at once, so that I need no longer face this distress."

Psalms 81(80):12-13.14-15.16-17.

But my people did not listen to my words; Israel did not obey me.
So I gave them over to hardness of heart; they followed their own designs.
But even now if my people would listen, if Israel would walk in my paths,
In a moment I would subdue their foes, against their enemies unleash my hand.

Those who hate the LORD would tremble, their doom sealed forever.
But Israel I would feed with the finest wheat, satisfy them with honey from the rock."


Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 14:22-36.


Then he made the disciples get into the boat and precede him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds.

After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When it was evening he was there alone.

Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore, was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it.

During the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them, walking 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."

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 hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"
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."

After making the crossing, they came to land at Gennesaret.

When the men of that place recognized him, they sent word to all the surrounding country.

People brought to him all those who were sick
and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak, and as many as touched it were healed.


Commentary of the day
Saint Hilary (c.315-367), Bishop of Poitiers, Doctor of the Church
Commentary on Saint Matthew's gospel, 14, 15 ; SC 258 (cf SC, p. 29)

"Lord, save me!"

The fact that, of all the passengers in the boat, Peter is the one who dares to call back and ask for a command to walk towards the Lord over the waters, reveals the disposition of his heart at the time of the Passion. He alone at that time, following behind the Lord and heedless of the world's tumult – just like that of the sea - accompanied him with the same bravery in despite of death. However, his lack of confidence reveals the weakness under temptation that awaited him since, in spite of daring to move forward, he sank. Weakness of the flesh and fear of death forced him to go as far as the disaster of denial. Nevertheless, he cried out and begged the Lord to save him. That cry is the groaning plea of his repentance...

Yet there is one thing to bear in mind about Peter: he preceded all the others in faith. For while they were still in ignorance, he was the first to acknowledge: «You are the Son of the living God» (Mt 16,16). He was the first to reject the Passion, thinking it to be a disaster (Mt 16,22), the first to swear he would die and never deny his Lord (Mt 26,35), the first to refuse to have his feet washed (Jn 13,8),he was also the one who drew his sword against those who seized the Lord (Jn 18,10). The calm experienced by wind and sea when the Lord got into the boat represents the peace and tranquillity of the eternal Church that will follow the Lord's glorious return. Because then he will come revealing himself, genuine astonishment caused them to say to all: «Truly, you are the Son of God». Then everyone will make clear and public confession that the Son of God has restored peace to the Church, not in the lowliness of the flesh but in the glory of heaven.