When we choose to sin, we cast ourselves out into the wilderness which leads to pain, anguish and desolation. Our only hope is to respond to the Lord our God’s call to repentance. He will heal and restore us. Our faith in Him will save us.
The greatest thing is to put all our faith and trust in Jesus Christ our Lord. To His loving gaze upon us as we look upon Him in Adoration. He is our God and we are His people. In that perfect Union miracles can happen through Him who wills it so. However if we allow the cares of the world to overwhelm us, to be swept away by anxiety then we will surely sink into despair. Do not abandon hope but call out to Jesus who saves, for He is always ready to pick us up and carry us if need be. He never abandons His flock.
Lord Jesus I fix my gaze upon You this day and always. Amen
First reading
Jeremiah 30:1-2,12-15,18-22
Your wound is incurable but I will heal you
The word addressed to Jeremiah by the Lord: the Lord, the God of Israel says this: Write all the words I have spoken to you in a book.
Yes, the Lord says this:
Your wound is incurable,
your injury past healing.
There is no one to care for your sore, no medicine to make you well again.
All your lovers have forgotten you, they look for you no more.
Yes, I have struck you as an enemy strikes, with harsh punishment so great is your guilt, so many your sins.
Why bother to complain about your wound?
Your pain is incurable.
So great is your guilt, so many your sins, that I have done all this to you.
The Lord says this:
Now I will restore the tents of Jacob,
and take pity on his dwellings: the city shall be rebuilt on its ruins,
the citadel restored on its site.
From them will come thanksgiving and shouts of joy. I will make them increase, and not diminish them, make them honoured, and not disdained.
Their sons shall be as once they were, their community fixed firm in my presence, and I will punish all their oppressors.
Their prince will be one of their own, their ruler come from their own people.
I will let him come freely into my presence and he can come close to me;
who else, indeed, would risk his life by coming close to me? – it is the Lord who speaks.
And you shall be my people and I will be your God.
Gospel
Matthew 14:22-36
Jesus walks on the water
Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side while he would send the crowds away. After sending the crowds away he went up into the hills by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, while the boat, by now far out on the lake, was battling with a heavy sea, for there was a head-wind. In the fourth watch of the night he went towards them, walking on the lake, and when the disciples saw him walking on the lake they were terrified. ‘It is a ghost’ they said, and cried out in fear. But at once Jesus called out to them, saying, ‘Courage! It is I! Do not be afraid.’ It was Peter who answered. ‘Lord,’ he said ‘if it is you, tell me to come to you across the water.’ ‘Come’ said Jesus. Then Peter got out of the boat and started walking towards Jesus across the water, but as soon as he felt the force of the wind, he took fright and began to sink. ‘Lord! Save me!’ he cried. Jesus put out his hand at once and held him. ‘Man of little faith,’ he said ‘why did you doubt?’ And as they got into the boat the wind dropped. The men in the boat bowed down before him and said, ‘Truly, you are the Son of God.’
Having made the crossing, they came to land at Gennesaret. When the local people recognised him they spread the news through the whole neighbourhood and took all that were sick to him, begging him just to let them touch the fringe of his cloak. And all those who touched it were completely cured.
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