
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew 14:22-33
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. 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 Peter, 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.”
REFLECTION: "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"
Do you have a favorite TV character? Mine is Father Brown.
Father Brown is a fictional character in a mystery series based on the character of Father Brown created by GK Chesterton. The show is set in the early 1950's. Father Brown is the parish priest at St. Mary Catholic Church and he has a knack for solving mysteries in his English village.
Father Brown is kind, compassionate and firm in his faith. In every episode there is always a sinner in need of absolution: usually the murderer. Father Brown reminds us not to doubt the love of God for His children and for the sake of your soul, confess.
Gilbert Keith Chesterton was forty-eight years old when he converted. He had been defending the Catholic faith for years before his conversion, writing many books and poems in defense of Catholicism. His converson was delayed as he wanted his wife, a devout Anglican, to convert with him. She played an important role in his life as he described her as the first Christian he met that was "full of joy". He entered full communion with the Catholic Church in 1922. He described his faith as a love affair that was as real as an earthly love.
When asked why he became a Catholic, he answered, "To get rid of my sins." The Catholic church was the only church that could do that. "When a Catholic comes from confession, he does truly, by definition step out into that dawn of his own beginning....God has really remade him in His own image. He may be grey and gouty; but he is only 5 minutes old." (GK Chesterton)
"O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" May we have a strong faith in our Lord, complete trust in Him and share our love and joy in communion.
God Bless You
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