＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊    

Numbers 12:1-13*

 Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses

Because of the Cushite woman he had married  and they said, “Has Yahweh only spoken through Moses? Has he not also spoken through us?” And Yahweh heard.  (........)   Yahweh came down in the pillar of cloud and, standing at the door of the Tent, called Aaron and Miriam. They both went out and   he said, “Listen carefully to what I say, If there is a prophet among you, I reveal myself to him in a vision and I speak to him in a dream.

 It is not so for my servant, Moses, my trusted steward in all my household.  To him I speak face to face, openly, and not in riddles, and he sees the presence of Yahweh. Why then did you not fear to speak against my servant, against Moses?”  Yahweh became angry with them and he departed.

 The cloud moved away from above the Tent and Miriam was there white as snow with leprosy. Aaron turned towards Miriam and he saw that she was leprous.   And he said to Moses, “My lord, I beg you, do not charge us with this sin that we have fool­ishly committed.  Let her not be like the stillborn whose flesh is half-eaten when it comes from its mother’s womb.” Then Moses cried to Yahweh, “Heal her, O God, I beg of you.”

 

Ps 51:3-4, 5-6ab, 6cd-7, 12-13

Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.

 

 ＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊   

Matthew 14:22-36 (or Matthew 15:1-2, 10-14)

 Immediately Jesus obliged his disciples to get into the boat and go ahead of him to the other side, while he sent the crowd away.  And having sent the people away, he went up the moun­tain by himself to pray. At nightfall, he was there alone.   Meanwhile, the boat was very far from land, dangerously rocked by the waves for the wind was against it.

 At daybreak, Jesus came to them walking on the lake. When they saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, thinking that it was a ghost. And they cried out in fear.   But at once Jesus said to them, “Courage! Don’t be afraid. It’s me!”  Peter answered, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you walking on the water.”

 Jesus said to him, “Come.” And Peter got out of the boat, walking on the water to go to Jesus.   But, in face of the strong wind, he was afraid and began to sink. So he cried out, “Lord, save me!”  Jesus immediately stret­ched out his hand and took hold of him, saying, “Man of little faith, why did you doubt?”

 As they got into the boat, the wind drop­ped.   Then those in the boat bowed down be­­fore Jesus saying, “Truly, you are the Son of God!”  They came ashore at Gennesaret.  The local people recognized Jesus and spread the news throughout the region. So they brought all the sick to him, begging him to let them touch just the fringe of his cloak. All who touched it became perfectly well.

 

 Gospel Reflection：

After a physically grueling exercise of ministry, Jesus now attends to His spiritual strength. Work like this can only be sustained by a strong spiritual life. We cannot rely on human strength alone. And so Jesus sends His disciples ahead for their much needed rest while He wraps up ministry with the people.

Having sent the multitude home, He goes up the mountain to commune with His Father. To be in prayer is for Him a form of rest. Meanwhile His disciples encountered a tempest in the lake they are crossing. Jesus refreshed from His prayer walked the turbulent waters unafraid. Peter tried to do the same but his faith faltered.

Only those with spiritual strength can brave the tempest of life without sinking into hopelessness and despair. When the elements obeyed the Lord there after, the disciples confessed His Lordship. For only God can put order in chaos. And from Jesus comes forth power. Whoever touch Him gets healed. His power has been awakened. He becomes potent day by day.