November 18
Memorial of Dedication of the Basilicas of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles
Thursday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time
Give a Mass Offering
Mass Intention
7:45 AM – Hilda Loguidice / Deacon Tom & Lena Murphy
Prayer for Spiritual Communion
My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the most Blessed Sacrament. I love You above all things and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot now receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there, and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.
Readings
First Reading
Acts 28:11-16, 30-31
After three months we set sail on a ship that had wintered at the island [of Malta]. It was an Alexandrian ship with the Dioscuri as its figurehead. We put in at Syracuse and stayed there three days, and from there we sailed round the coast and arrived at Rhegium. After a day, a south wind came up and in two days we reached Puteoli. There we found some brothers and were urged to stay with them for seven days. And thus we came to Rome. The brothers from there heard about us and came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. On seeing them, Paul gave thanks to God and took courage. When he entered Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with the soldier who was guarding him.
He remained for two full years in his lodgings. He received all who came to him, and with complete assurance and without hindrance he proclaimed the Kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalms 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4, 5-6
R. (see 2b) The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.
Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
His right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm.
R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.
The LORD has made his salvation known:
in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.
He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness
toward the house of Israel.
R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.
R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.
Sing praise to the LORD with the harp,
with the harp and melodious song.
With trumpets and the sound of the horn
sing joyfully before the King, the LORD.
R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.
Gospel Acclamation
See Te Deum
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
We praise you, O God,
we acclaim you as Lord;
the glorious company of Apostles praise you.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
Matthew 14:22-33
After the crowd had eaten their fill, Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and precede him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When it was evening he was there alone. Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore, was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it. During the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them, walking on the sea. When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified. "It is a ghost," they said, and they cried out in fear. At once Jesus spoke to them, "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid." Peter said to him in reply, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." He said, "Come." Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!" Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" After they got into the boat, the wind died down. Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying, "Truly, you are the Son of God."
“The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.”
Reflection
Today, scripture tells the story of the Apostles, alone in the boat without Christ, as the wind tosses their boat about the waves. I say they were alone without Christ because they felt abandoned and were in fear. In reality, Christ who was on the shore praying alone knew what they were experiencing and that they were in fear. Christ goes to them walking on the sea and calms the waves. Peter doubts that it is Christ. As Christ invites him to come to him walking on the water, Peter loses his faith and begins to sink only to have Christ uphold him.
I believe that most of us would be doubters if we experienced Jesus coming to us walking on the water. When we step out on the sea, I believe we too might lose faith and begin to sink. I say this because Christ continually invites us to “come to him” in so many ways, and yet, when we begin to venture towards him we lose faith and begin to question where God really is in our life.
For our reflection today, I ask us to consider if we realize when Jesus does uphold us through our times of fear, doubt, and ultimate rejection. Do we understand that Christ is always there for us, and that we are not surviving due to our own strength but through the strength that God the Father gives us through his Son?
Peace,
Fr. John
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