A WORD FOR TODAY 3 AUGUST 2021

A WORD FOR TODAY 3 AUGUST 2021


 

*A WORD FOR TODAY

*FIX YOUR GAZE ON JESUS

_“Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, bid me come to you on the water.”  He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus; but when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:28-31)_

_*In life, when someone sets out on a journey with a particular destination in mind, it is expected that all their focus and attention would be on the destination they wish to arrive at. This is even more true when the instruction to get to the destination is given by a higher authority. We would not have the luxury of visiting other places knowing that we are on a mission.*_

_In the gospel reading of today, we see Jesus give a simple instruction to Peter who wanted an evidence for believing that it was really Jesus who walked upon the sea. Jesus gave the order: “Come!" but while Peter approached, he became distracted, and he took his eyes away from the person he was approaching, hence he began to sink._

_*In the passage, we see a glimpse of our capacity to achieve the seemingly impossible if only we stay focused on Jesus. Peter, a mere man, was able to walk on water in those few moments he focused his gaze on Jesus. How much more can we achieve - even those things which appear impossible to us - when we keep our focus on Jesus!.*_

_Do not let the storms of life throw you off balance, do not let anything take away your gaze from Jesus, do not allow fear and doubt disrupt your progress. Jesus has a particular mission for each of us, Jesus is the one who invites us to come to him over the waters, to come to him over your trials, fears, doubts and worries, so as to achieve what he wants us to achieve._

_*The invitation of Jesus is unique to each person, and so our response should be directed to him personally. Other people may not understand this invitation and response, but that should not also be a distraction to us. In the first reading, we see the siblings of Moses grow impatient because they could not understand why the Lord spoke only through Moses. They spoke against him and Miriam was hit with leprosy. It is simply a sin of contempt. They spoke ill against the anointed and chosen of the Lord and it was counted as sin for them and God punished them for that, but through the Intercession of Moses she was restored to health and the Lord showed her mercy. The same is true with each of us, others may not understand, we ourselves may not understand what the Lord asks of us. But we must set out over the waters and keep him as our focus and goal, trusting that he would guide us across the stormy seas.*_

_Good morning my dearest one. May this day bring you plenty of joy and happiness, progress in all you do and more reasons to smile ☺, God is with us, do not be afraid. *And may the Almighty God bless you: the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.*_

*Meditation:* Numbers 12:1-13/Ps 51:3-4.5-7.12-13/Matthew 14:22-36

*Watch-Word:* Take heart, it is I; have no fear.

*Be courageous and trust in Jesus, he is with us, there is no need for us to be afraid.*

(Tuesday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time. Year 1)

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