1st book of Kings 19,9a.11-13a. At the mountain of God, Horeb, Elijah came to a cave, where he took shelter. "Go outside and stand on the mountain before the LORD; the LORD will be passing by." A strong and heavy wind was rending the mountains and crushing rocks before the LORD--but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake--but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake there was fire--but the LORD was not in the fire. After the fire there was a tiny whispering sound. When he heard this, Elijah hid his face in his cloak and went and stood at the entrance of the cave.
Psalms 85(84).
I will hear what God proclaims; the LORD –for he proclaims peace to his people. Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him, glory dwelling in our land.
Kindness and truth shall meet; justice and peace shall kiss. Truth shall spring out of the earth, and justice shall look down from heaven.
The LORD himself will give his benefits; our land shall yield its increase. Justice shall walk before him, and salvation, along the way of his steps.
Letter to the Romans 9,1-5. Brothers and Sisters: I speak the truth in Christ, I do not lie; my conscience joins with the holy Spirit in bearing me witness that I have great sorrow and constant anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and separated from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kin according to the flesh. They are Israelites; theirs the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises; theirs the patriarchs, and from them, according to the flesh, is the Messiah. God who is over all be blessed forever. Amen.
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 14,22-33. After he had fed the people, Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and precede him to the other side of the sea, 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."
POPE FRANCIS ANGELUS 13 August 2017 Dear Brothers and Sisters, Good morning!
Today the Gospel passage (Mt 14:22-33) describes the episode about Jesus who, after praying all night on the shore of the Lake of Galilee, makes his way towards his disciples’ boat, walking on the water. The boat is in the middle of the lake, halted by a strong wind blowing against it. When they see Jesus come walking on the water, the disciples mistake him for a ghost and they are afraid. But he reassures them: “Take heart, it is I; have no fear!” (v. 27). Peter, with his characteristic impetuousness, says to him: “Lord, if it is you, bid me come to you on the water”; And Jesus calls him: “Come!” (vv. 28-29). Peter gets out of the boat and begins to walk on the water towards Jesus; but because of the wind, he is afraid and begins to sink. So he cries out: “Lord, save me!” And Jesus reaches out his hand and catches him (vv. 30-31).
This Gospel narrative contains rich symbolism and makes us reflect on our faith, both as individuals and as an ecclesial community, also the faith of all of us who are here today in the Square. Does the community, this ecclesial community, have faith? How is the faith in each of us, and the faith of our community? The boat is the life of each one of us, but it is also the life of the Church. The wind against it represents difficulties and trials. Peter’s invocation — “Lord, bid me come to you!” — and his cry — “Lord, save me!” — are very similar to our desire to feel the Lord’s closeness, but also the fear and anguish that accompany the most difficult moments of our life and of our communities, marked by internal fragility and external difficulties.
At that moment, Jesus’ word of reassurance, which was like an outstretched rope to cling to in the face of the hostile and turbulent waters, was not enough for Peter. This is what can happen to us as well. When one does not cling to the Word of the Lord to feel secure, but consults horoscopes and fortune tellers, one begins to sink. This means that the faith is not very strong. Today’s Gospel reminds us that faith in the Lord and in his Word does not open a way for us where everything is easy and calm; it does not rescue us from life’s storms. Faith gives us the assurance of a Presence, the presence of Jesus who encourages us to overcome the existential tempests, the certainty of a hand that grabs hold of us so as to help us face the difficulties, pointing the way for us even when it is dark. Faith, in short, is not an escape route from life’s problems, but it sustains the journey and gives it meaning.
This episode offers a wonderful image of the reality of the Church throughout the ages: a boat that, as she makes the crossing, must also weather contrary winds and storms which threaten to capsize her. What saves her are not the courage and qualities of her men: the guarantee against shipwreck is faith in Christ and in his Word. This is the guarantee: faith in Jesus and in his Word. We are safe on this boat, despite our wretchedness and weaknesses, especially when we are kneeling and worshiping the Lord, like the disciples who, in the end, fell down before him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God!” (v. 33). How beautiful it is to say this to Jesus: “Truly you are the Son of God!”. Shall we say it together, all of us? “Truly you are the Son of God!”.
May the Virgin Mary help us to remain steadfast in the faith, to resist life’s tempests, to remain on the barque of the Church by shunning the temptation to embark on the seductive but insecure boats of ideologies, fashions and slogans.
FAUSTI – "Thou of little faith, why did you doubt?" Jesus asks Peter, called by him to walk on the waters, like Him and with Him. This tale shows the journey from disturbance to the courage of the faith, however harassed by the doubt and by the fall that in the experience of salvation comes to its fullness. The doubt, halfway between incredulity and faith, is the needed passage for everyone. For a conscious and adult faith, it is necessary that the unbeliever must doubt of his unbelieving and that the believer doubts of his believing . A blind dogmatism precludes the access to the truth. However, anyone when goes down, opens himself up to the invocation of salvation, beyond what it believes or does not believe. Peter represents each of us and the whole Church. When we turn our eyes to the Lord and to His vocation , we have confidence and are able to go on when we look our difficulties, we are afraid and we sink. After the gift of bread, Jesus climbs alone on the mountain to pray. The disciples descend, by themselves, to the sea to row. After the night of the bread a new day comes- the one of the alone disciples on the boat - where Jesus is present in another way, through His Word ordering to make His own path, dealing the same night that He has won. . We stand in the night, on the contrary wind, suspended on the agitated abyss that wants to swallow us, struggling unnecessarily to reach the other shore. It is Church's condition, called to face His own path after His Ascension on Mount. Wrapped in darkness, suspended between sky and abyss, the disciples are far from the starting point and from the arrival point. The situation is anguishing . Not to be swallowed up by the abyss is the impossible dream of every man, overcoming the reality that he knows well, done of night, loneliness, distance, fatigue, torment, anguish, terror and sinking. Walking on the sea is the theme of the piece. It is what disciple is called to do, on the Word of His Lord. They who are played by fear mistake their fantasies for reality and reality for fantasy. The disciples think that the Living One between them is a ghost, a dead man. It is the reproach of Paul to those of Corinth when he says that their Eucharist is not a eating the Supper of the Lord , but an eating their condemnation, because they make the opposite of what they celebrate. (1 Cor 11: 17-34). Fear is scarsity of faith. Faith is instead the courage of believing and daring the impossible, impossible to man, but not to God. He who walks on the waters is not a ghost but "I am", Jesus in person. "I-am" refers to the revelation of the God of the Exodus. Salvation through water is not an illusion. It is the fear that makes them perceive the reality of God an illusion. "Come !" It's the definitive vocation. On His Word, we are called by Him to walk as Him and with Him on the abyss. In obedience to Him, Peter manages to do as He did. The opposite spirit frightens Peter. If he looks Jesus , he walks, if he looks his fears, he sinks. The "tense arm" indicates the intervention of God, which grabs and saves from the great waters him who invokes Him. There is faith, but little, insufficient after hard tests like this. But there is always the cry in his heart: "Lord, save me!" It is the inalienable root of faith. The resulting experience of salvation leads to peace and to Lord's acknowledgment. The journey of trust and recognition lasts forever. Salvation leads to worship to the kiss of the Lord, aim of the Gospel.
-->The Church, represented by the boat of the disciples, on Lord's indication, proceeds along the way, also encountering difficulties and storms, and can cross them by listening to His Voice. In the storm He is beside us, even if we do not see Him and do not recognize Him, but if we listen to Him, He comforts us: "Courage! It is I! Don't be afraid!" Listen made of Silence and faith! Elijah listens and discovers his mission. Peter listens to Him and wants to reach Him on the waters, but his faith still has doubts and uncertainties. He asks for help and gets it! We, listening to Paul who, in the Letter to the Hebrews, after having enumerated the profound motivation of our ancestors in the faith and the positive outcome of their undertakings (Heb 11), invites us: "Let us run with perseverance in the race that stands before us, keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, author and perfector of the faith..." (Heb 12), we will be able to enter into His plan for us! Never think of letting Him enter into our projects and our expectations..... We ask Him to be able to listen to His wishes!
1st book of Kings 19,9a.11-13a.
RispondiEliminaAt the mountain of God, Horeb, Elijah came to a cave, where he took shelter.
"Go outside and stand on the mountain before the LORD; the LORD will be passing by." A strong and heavy wind was rending the mountains and crushing rocks before the LORD--but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake--but the LORD was not in the earthquake.
After the earthquake there was fire--but the LORD was not in the fire. After the fire there was a tiny whispering sound.
When he heard this, Elijah hid his face in his cloak and went and stood at the entrance of the cave.
Psalms 85(84).
I will hear what God proclaims;
the LORD –for he proclaims peace to his people.
Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him,
glory dwelling in our land.
Kindness and truth shall meet;
justice and peace shall kiss.
Truth shall spring out of the earth,
and justice shall look down from heaven.
The LORD himself will give his benefits;
our land shall yield its increase.
Justice shall walk before him,
and salvation, along the way of his steps.
Letter to
the Romans 9,1-5.
Brothers and Sisters: I speak the truth in Christ, I do not lie; my conscience joins with the holy Spirit in bearing me witness
that I have great sorrow and constant anguish in my heart.
For I could wish that I myself were accursed and separated from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kin according to the flesh.
They are Israelites; theirs the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises;
theirs the patriarchs, and from them, according to the flesh, is the Messiah. God who is over all be blessed forever. Amen.
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ
according to Saint Matthew 14,22-33.
After he had fed the people, Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and precede him to the other side of the sea, 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."
POPE FRANCIS ANGELUS
RispondiElimina13 August 2017
Dear Brothers and Sisters, Good morning!
Today the Gospel passage (Mt 14:22-33) describes the episode about Jesus who, after praying all night on the shore of the Lake of Galilee, makes his way towards his disciples’ boat, walking on the water. The boat is in the middle of the lake, halted by a strong wind blowing against it. When they see Jesus come walking on the water, the disciples mistake him for a ghost and they are afraid. But he reassures them: “Take heart, it is I; have no fear!” (v. 27). Peter, with his characteristic impetuousness, says to him: “Lord, if it is you, bid me come to you on the water”; And Jesus calls him: “Come!” (vv. 28-29). Peter gets out of the boat and begins to walk on the water towards Jesus; but because of the wind, he is afraid and begins to sink. So he cries out: “Lord, save me!” And Jesus reaches out his hand and catches him (vv. 30-31).
This Gospel narrative contains rich symbolism and makes us reflect on our faith, both as individuals and as an ecclesial community, also the faith of all of us who are here today in the Square. Does the community, this ecclesial community, have faith? How is the faith in each of us, and the faith of our community? The boat is the life of each one of us, but it is also the life of the Church. The wind against it represents difficulties and trials. Peter’s invocation — “Lord, bid me come to you!” — and his cry — “Lord, save me!” — are very similar to our desire to feel the Lord’s closeness, but also the fear and anguish that accompany the most difficult moments of our life and of our communities, marked by internal fragility and external difficulties.
At that moment, Jesus’ word of reassurance, which was like an outstretched rope to cling to in the face of the hostile and turbulent waters, was not enough for Peter. This is what can happen to us as well. When one does not cling to the Word of the Lord to feel secure, but consults horoscopes and fortune tellers, one begins to sink. This means that the faith is not very strong. Today’s Gospel reminds us that faith in the Lord and in his Word does not open a way for us where everything is easy and calm; it does not rescue us from life’s storms. Faith gives us the assurance of a Presence, the presence of Jesus who encourages us to overcome the existential tempests, the certainty of a hand that grabs hold of us so as to help us face the difficulties, pointing the way for us even when it is dark. Faith, in short, is not an escape route from life’s problems, but it sustains the journey and gives it meaning.
This episode offers a wonderful image of the reality of the Church throughout the ages: a boat that, as she makes the crossing, must also weather contrary winds and storms which threaten to capsize her. What saves her are not the courage and qualities of her men: the guarantee against shipwreck is faith in Christ and in his Word. This is the guarantee: faith in Jesus and in his Word. We are safe on this boat, despite our wretchedness and weaknesses, especially when we are kneeling and worshiping the Lord, like the disciples who, in the end, fell down before him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God!” (v. 33). How beautiful it is to say this to Jesus: “Truly you are the Son of God!”. Shall we say it together, all of us? “Truly you are the Son of God!”.
May the Virgin Mary help us to remain steadfast in the faith, to resist life’s tempests, to remain on the barque of the Church by shunning the temptation to embark on the seductive but insecure boats of ideologies, fashions and slogans.
FAUSTI – "Thou of little faith, why did you doubt?" Jesus asks Peter, called by him to walk on the waters, like Him and with Him.
RispondiEliminaThis tale shows the journey from disturbance to the courage of the faith, however harassed by the doubt and by the fall that in the experience of salvation comes to its fullness.
The doubt, halfway between incredulity and faith, is the needed passage for everyone.
For a conscious and adult faith, it is necessary that the unbeliever must doubt of his unbelieving and that the believer doubts of his believing . A blind dogmatism precludes the access to the truth.
However, anyone when goes down,
opens himself up to the invocation of salvation, beyond what it believes or does not believe.
Peter represents each of us and the whole Church. When we turn our eyes to the Lord and to His vocation , we have confidence and are able to go on when we look our difficulties, we are afraid and we sink.
After the gift of bread, Jesus climbs alone on the mountain to pray.
The disciples descend, by themselves, to the sea to row.
After the night of the bread a new day comes- the one of the alone disciples on the boat - where Jesus is present in another way, through His Word ordering to make His own path, dealing the same night that He has won. .
We stand in the night, on the contrary wind, suspended on the agitated abyss that wants to swallow us, struggling unnecessarily to reach the other shore.
It is Church's condition, called to face His own path after His Ascension on Mount.
Wrapped in darkness, suspended between sky and abyss, the disciples are far from the starting point and from the arrival point. The situation is anguishing .
Not to be swallowed up by the abyss is the impossible dream of every man, overcoming the reality that he knows well, done of night, loneliness, distance, fatigue, torment, anguish, terror and sinking.
Walking on the sea is the theme of the piece.
It is what disciple is called to do, on the Word of His Lord.
They who are played by fear mistake their fantasies for reality and reality for fantasy.
The disciples think that the Living One between them is a ghost, a dead man.
It is the reproach of Paul to those of Corinth when he says that their Eucharist is not a eating the Supper of the Lord , but an eating their condemnation, because they make the opposite of what they celebrate. (1 Cor 11: 17-34).
Fear is scarsity of faith.
Faith is instead the courage of believing and daring the impossible, impossible to man, but not to God.
He who walks on the waters is not a ghost but "I am", Jesus in person.
"I-am" refers to the revelation of the God of the Exodus. Salvation through water is not an illusion. It is the fear that makes them perceive the reality of God an illusion.
"Come !" It's the definitive vocation. On His Word, we are called by Him to walk as Him and with Him on the abyss. In obedience to Him, Peter manages to do as He did.
The opposite spirit frightens Peter.
If he looks Jesus , he walks, if he looks his fears, he sinks.
The "tense arm" indicates the intervention of God, which grabs and saves from the great waters him who invokes Him.
There is faith, but little, insufficient after hard tests like this.
But there is always the cry in his heart: "Lord, save me!"
It is the inalienable root of faith.
The resulting experience of salvation leads to peace and to Lord's acknowledgment.
The journey of trust and recognition lasts forever.
Salvation leads to worship to the kiss of the Lord, aim of the Gospel.
-->The Church, represented by the boat of the disciples, on Lord's indication, proceeds along the way, also encountering difficulties and storms, and can cross them by listening to His Voice.
RispondiEliminaIn the storm He is beside us, even if we do not see Him and do not recognize Him, but if we listen to Him, He comforts us: "Courage! It is I! Don't be afraid!"
Listen made of Silence and faith!
Elijah listens and discovers his mission.
Peter listens to Him and wants to reach Him on the waters, but his faith still has doubts and uncertainties. He asks for help and gets it!
We, listening to Paul who, in the Letter to the Hebrews, after having enumerated the profound motivation of our ancestors in the faith and the positive outcome of their undertakings (Heb 11), invites us: "Let us run with perseverance in the race that stands before us, keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, author and perfector of the faith..." (Heb 12), we will be able to enter into His plan for us!
Never think of letting Him enter into our projects and our expectations..... We ask Him to be able to listen to His wishes!