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The BreadCast


Daily Exposition of the Readings for Catholic Mass...

as well as Prayers to the Saints on the General Roman Calendar (for the U.S.).  

From the books Our Daily Bread and Prayers to the Saints by James H. Kurt - both with imprimatur.

Aug 6, 2023

(Jer.28:1-17;   Ps.119:29,43,68,79-80,95,102;   Mt.14:22-36) 

“Let those turn to me who fear you

and acknowledge your decrees.”

Hananiah does not fear the Lord; he cares nothing for His decrees.  And so he prophesies that the Lord will bring “the vessels of the house of the Lord and all the exiles back from Babylon” within two years, though the Lord has not said this.  And he refuses to turn to Jeremiah – who does acknowledge the Lord’s decrees and speaks only truth – hardening himself against the word and the will of the Lord even unto his death.  How foolish to have “false confidence,” to have no fear of God and His prophets.  “Rebellion against the Lord” can but bring destruction to the proud soul.

And what of the fear the disciples exhibit throughout our gospel today: the fear of the boat “being tossed about in the waves raised by strong head winds”; their terror at seeing Jesus “walking on the water” in the middle of the night (“‘It is a ghost!’ they said.”); Peter’s fear of sinking in the water...  Is this the fear the Lord desires of His chosen ones?  No.  For this is the fear of a faithless soul disturbed by the distractions the devil might raise, not the fear of the Lord.  The fear the Lord requires we see after Jesus “had climbed into the boat, [and] the wind died down.”  Here read of the fear of the Lord: “Those who were in the boat showed Him reverence, declaring, ‘Undoubtedly you are the Son of God!’”

Acknowledge Him we must.  To His feet we must bring all our sickness, all our blindness.  Knowing that by His word alone we are saved, that in His presence alone do we find our home, our harbor in this storm – this is the fear which must burn in our hearts.  There is no other way.  There is no other word which has weight.  Only His hand reaches out and lifts us up from drowning in the waves.  And for this we honor Him.  For the law of His mouth we praise His name.  For what does He speak but our salvation?  What does He come across the lake bringing us but assistance in our exile here?  And so, what should we do but reverence His eminent grace?  Let the Lord be praised!

*******

O LORD, by your Word save me;

with your hand raise me up.

YHWH, you destroy all falsehood from among us; from our hearts you remove all fear.  And so, we praise you for your glory, for truly you are our LORD and God.

Across the waters you send your Son, to calm our hearts and remove all fear.  Into our boats He climbs, bringing your peace, LORD, and by His hand all are healed.

Let us not be blind to His presence; let us not lack the faith to walk with Him.  For His arms are always outstretched to catch us and gather us into your heart, O LORD.

There indeed is no falsehood in Him, or in the words He speaks to our souls.  He is the true Prophet sent in your NAME, LORD, and we find refuge in obedience to His call.

O LORD, may our boat come soon to the shore we seek; with your Son at our side we are already with you.  And let your Word of truth be in our mouth as well – let us speak only the words you inspire.