Sunday 13 August 2023 – XIX of Ordinary Time

+ From the Gospel according to Matthew (14, 22 – 33)

[After the crowd had eaten], Jesus immediately forced the disciples to get into the boat and precede him to the other side, until he dismissed the crowd. Having dismissed the crowd, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he stayed up there, alone.
Meanwhile the boat was already many miles from land and was being tossed about by the waves: in fact the wind was against it. At the end of the night he came to them walking on the sea. Seeing him walking on the sea, the disciples were shocked and said: “He is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them saying: «Courage, it is I, do not be afraid!».
Peter then answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” And he said, “Come!” Peter got out of the boat, began to walk on the water and went towards Jesus. But, seeing that the wind was strong, he was frightened and, starting to sink, he cried out: «Lord, save me!». And immediately Jesus reached out his hand, grabbed him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”
As soon as we got on the boat, the wind stopped. Those who were in the boat prostrated themselves before him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God!”

Word of the Lord