Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 115
13 AUG 2023 A.D.


Reading 1
1 Kgs 19:9a, 11-13a

At the mountain of God, Horeb,
Elijah came to a cave where he took shelter.
Then the LORD said to him,
"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.


Responsorial Psalm
Ps 85:9, 10, 11-12, 13-14

R. Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.

I will hear what God proclaims;
the LORD — for he proclaims peace.
Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him,
glory dwelling in our land.
R. Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.

Kindness and truth shall meet;
justice and peace shall kiss.
Truth shall spring out of the earth,
and justice shall look down from heaven.
R. Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.

The LORD himself will give his benefits;
our land shall yield its increase.
Justice shall walk before him,
and prepare the way of his steps.
R. Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.


Reading 2
Rom 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 cut off from Christ
for the sake of my own people,
my kindred 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 Christ,
who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.


Alleluia
Ps 130:5
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I wait for the Lord;
my soul waits for his word.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.


Gospel
Mt 14:22-33

After he had fed the people, Jesus made the disciples get into a 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 Peter,
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."


Overview of the Gospel:

• The events related in this Sunday’s Gospel takes place right after the multiplication of
the loaves and fish we heard about last week. The events it describes are related in
three of the four Gospels (see also Mark 6:45-52 and John 6:14-21).

• Jesus instructs his disciples to get into a fishing boat (probably Peter’s) and head out
across the Sea of Galilee toward Gentile territory, to the land of Gennesaret (verse 34;
Matthew 8:28-34). While far out to sea in the barque of Peter, in the darkest part of the
night (the fourth watch was between 3 and 6 A.M.), they battle a great storm.

• As they struggle against the wind and the waves, Jesus comes to them walking on the
water. Whereas they were not described as terrified from the storm, they are now, as
they assume Jesus is some sort of phantom (verse 26). Peter, however—always the
impetuous leader—decides to step out in faith. Jesus allows him to proceed, then
saves him when he takes his eyes off the Lord and his faith fails.

• Returning to the boat, the wind calms. The disciples had seen Jesus quiet the sea once before
(Matthew 8:23-27), but now seem to recognize that the Old Testament credits God alone with
mastery over the sea (Job 26:11-14; Ps 89:8-10; 93:4; 107:28-31).


"When we find ourselves in some grave danger we must not lose courage but firmly trust in God, for where there is the greatest danger, there is also the greatest help from Him who wants to be called our 'Help' in times of peace and in times of tribulation." ~St. Ambrose

Thanks!

Thanks

You're very much welcome, Brothers, tortilla-flats and Jozsi!

"Isten nagy!"



[I am of Polish heritage--Family were coal miners in Upper Silesia--came to America 130 years ago to work the steel mills of Cleveland!)

My first Parish--in Cleveland's "Little Warsaw"--Holy Name Parish--first Mass in 1854: