Nineteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time (Mt. 14:22-33) “Step Up Step Out”
Nineteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time (Mt. 14:22-33) “Step Up Step Out”
Impetuous isn’t an adjective that we would want people to use to describe us. The word points to a person who moves into action before they consider the ramifications of what they are doing.
St. Peter is often described as impetuous. We can think of him bragging at the last supper that he will never betray Jesus. He says this without a full understanding of what is about to happen. During the chaos of Jesus’ arrest, Peter becomes afraid. He denies Jesus, not once, but three times, but he looks even more foolish because of his brash prediction.
Jesus seems to warn against promising too much. In Luke 14:28, Jesus tells the story of a man building a tower. He says when a man builds a tower, they sit down to calculate the cost before they erect the structure in fear of starting construction only to run out of money. No one would what to have a half-built tower in their vineyard. Everyone who saw it would jeer at the owner of the vineyard. He also used the example of a king who was going to war. A king wouldn’t begin a war without calculating the enemy’s strength to consider whether he could win such a war. Jesus seemed like he didn’t think much of people who promised what they couldn’t deliver.
In the gospel we have today, Peter seems to take another foolish risk. A storm is blowing across the Sea of Galilee. The wind is howling. The waves are crashing. Jesus stayed behind on shore to pray. He sees the disciples struggling with their boat. He comes to help them. Peter sees Jesus coming toward the boat. He asks if he can walk to Jesus across the water. We know the rest of the story. Peter is the only one of the disciples to try to walk to Jesus. He almost drowns.
We are left to wonder why Peter, who was such a foolish man by his own admission, is the one Jesus picks out to lead his church. Why didn’t he pick out the prudent guys who stayed in the boat? Was Peter’s risk taking something he wanted to encourage?
Have we ever taken a risk. Think back on your life. What is the biggest chance you ever took. For some of us it might have been when we graduated from high school. We then had to decide whether we would apply to a college far from home majoring in a subject we weren’t quite sure of. Others might have decided to enlist in the military. We know how uncertain that move might be. A soldier can end up anywhere in the world doing any sort of job. We might also have decided to move somewhere far from home to start a new career in a strange place. Another risk might have been getting married. Someone who marries promises to build a life with another person to whom they will always be faithful. Marriage vows are intimidating if we really pay attention, “for better for worse, for richer, for poorer, until death do us part.” Another risk in life might be the decision to have a child. When a parent does that, they take on the responsibility for another human being for at least the first eighteen years of life.
When we reflect on the risks, we have taken in life we might think back with regrets. But most of the time we probably say that the chances we took led to life-changing circumstances that we are happy about now. To have refrained might have led to a loss of blessings and fewer successes. Opportunities in life are meant to be seized.
Jesus picked Peter out of the twelve because he was not afraid to be step out of the boat. He needed a man who would move with the Spirit. When Peter began to drown, Jesus extended his hand. He didn’t ridicule Peter for being so foolish. He asked him why he had second thoughts. He told him not to be afraid. Should we continue to gamble in our life? I think Jesus would say yes. Maybe we are being called to take up a new ministry. Next weekend we will be having a Stewardship weekend. We are asking for parishioners to volunteer to be liturgical ministers. We could look at this as an opportunity to step out of the boat.
If we want to have Eucharist under both species, if we want to have beautiful liturgical music, if we want to feel welcome at the church door, if we want the scriptures proclaimed in a dignified way, we need people step up, step out. Faith isn’t just an intellectual exercise. Faith is exhibited when we act. One concrete action is to be a liturgical minister. If we do this, it is an act of love towards the Body of Christ.
Reflection Questions:
When have I stepped out in faith? Am I glad I did?
What talent could I offer the parish community? Am I reluctant? Why?
Dear Parishioners,
On September 9th and 10th, we will be having our Annual Diocesan Appeal weekend. This year our goal is being dropped significantly because over fifty percent of our ordinary weekend went to support our local Catholic Schools last year. The more of our donations that are given to Seton School and Alleman Catholic High School the less monies we are expected to send to the diocese. Last year we had more donations to ADA than we have had in the past. Consequently, we only were about $5,000 short of our goal.
This year our goal for the ADA is $105,000, which is almost $20,000 less than last year. If everyone would donate to the degree that they did last year we would receive a rebate from the diocese. The money we would be reimbursed can be used here at Sacred Heart. The finance committee would like to use it to pay down the debt on our Gathering Space. The debt now is under $450,000. It would be nice to see that keep shrinking so that our interest payments would also be reduced. Right now, that amounts to about $25,000 a year. The faster we retire our debt the less interest goes to the diocese.
May Our Lady of Peace pray for our violent world,
Fr. Mark
P.S. Remember that Father Luke Spannagel will be here Sunday August 20th at 4 p.m. as part of the Eucharistic Revival. He will speak about the Mass as the Perfect Sacrifice. There will be Adoration and Benediction and there will be refreshments afterwards. This afternoon of reflection will replace our usual Ministry Night speaker this year. All liturgical ministers are encouraged to attend for ongoing catechesis.