18TH TUESDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - Gospel (Matthew 14:22-36) - THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE
- NHA CHUA CHA
- Aug 6
- 5 min read
FIRST READING - Num 12:1-13
"Why, then, do you not fear to speak against my servant Moses?"
A reading from the book of Numbers
1 Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses on the pretext of the Cushite woman he had married; for he had in fact married a Cushite woman.[a] 2 They complained,[b] “Is it through Moses alone that the Lord has spoken? Has he not spoken through us also?” And the Lord heard this. 3 Now the man Moses was very humble, more than anyone else on earth. 4 So at once the Lord said to Moses and Aaron and Miriam: Come out, you three, to the tent of meeting. And the three of them went. 5 Then the Lord came down in a column of cloud, and standing at the entrance of the tent, called, “Aaron and Miriam.” When both came forward, 6 the Lord said: Now listen to my words:
If there are prophets among you, in visions I reveal myself to them, in dreams I speak to them;7 Not so with my servant Moses! Throughout my house he is worthy of trust:[c]8face to face I speak to him, plainly and not in riddles. The likeness of the Lord he beholds.
Why, then, do you not fear to speak against my servant Moses? 9 And so the Lord’s wrath flared against them, and he departed.
10 Now the cloud withdrew from the tent, and there was Miriam, stricken with a scaly infection, white as snow![d] When Aaron turned toward Miriam and saw her stricken with snow-white scales, 11 he said to Moses, “Ah, my lord! Please do not charge us with the sin that we have foolishly committed! 12 Do not let her be like the stillborn baby that comes forth from its mother’s womb with its flesh half consumed.” 13 Then Moses cried to the Lord, “Please, not this! Please, heal her!”
GOSPEL OF THE DAY - Mt 14:22-26
"Command me to come to you on the water.”
✠From the Gospel according to Matthew
22 Then he made the disciples get into the boat and precede him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23 After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When it was evening he was there alone. 24 Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore, was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it. 25 During the fourth watch of the night,[a] he came toward them, walking on the sea. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified. “It is a ghost,” they said, and they cried out in fear. 27 At once [Jesus] spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I;[b] do not be afraid.” 28 Peter said to him in reply, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29 He said, “Come.” Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw how [strong] the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith,[c] why did you doubt?” 32 After they got into the boat, the wind died down. 33 [d]Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying, “Truly, you are the Son of God.”
34 After making the crossing, they came to land at Gennesaret. 35 When the men of that place recognized him, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought to him all those who were sick 36 and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak, and as many as touched it were healed.
18TH TUESDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - Gospel (Matthew 14:22-36)
THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE
Dear People of God,
The Word of God in today’s Gospel speaks about the faith of Saint Peter in God.
At the beginning, Saint Peter courageously professed his firm faith in God through his own words: "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Through that profession of faith, many came to recognize Jesus Christ as the Son of God, the One who was to come into the world. This profession did not come from Saint Peter himself alone, but it was God the Father who revealed to him that Jesus Christ is the Savior.
It was precisely because of that strong faith that Saint Peter dared to walk on the water to come to Jesus Christ.
However, when faced with strong winds and waves, Saint Peter’s faith was shaken, and he was unable to reach Jesus.
Likewise, in each person’s life, when facing storms, trials, and hardships, it is easy for people to become confused, fearful, and lose faith in God. Therefore, God advises everyone to remain watchful at all times and in all places, and to pray to God for the grace of faith—so that we may trust and place complete confidence in His power in every circumstance.
The Word of God today seeks to reveal two kinds of people who believe in Him.
First, there are those who believe in God, but do not yet place absolute trust in Him. To these, God grants grace according to the measure of their faith in Him.
Second, there are those who have absolute faith in God. Even if they pray from afar or merely touch the hem of His garment, God will still heal them and pour out His grace upon them.
For God, He only requires that each person places complete faith and absolute trust in His power and love. If we do not doubt, speculate, or calculate, then Satan will not be able to shake our faith in the God of Love. This is also the way to overcome Satan, who constantly lurks to tempt humanity.
God always loves us, and that is why today He calls everyone to trust and place absolute confidence in Him. Every grace or blessing that God grants will be according to what we ask of Him. Do not rely on our own strength, but instead rely on the power and might of God. This is the key by which we can withstand temptations, trials, and the storms that the world brings.
We must live according to the Word of God and respond to His call, and our souls will find peace in all circumstances. This is what pleases Him.
Thanks be to God. Amen.
Comments