Mt 14:22-36
22[Jesus] made the disciples get into the boat and precede him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds.23After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When it was evening he was there alone.24Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore, was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it. 25During the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them, walking on the sea. 26When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified. “It is a ghost,” they said, and they cried out in fear. 27At once [Jesus] spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”
28Peter said to him in reply, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29He said, “Come.” Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. 30But when he saw how [strong] the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32After they got into the boat, the wind died down. 33Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying, “Truly, you are the Son of God.”
34After making the crossing, they came to land at Gennesaret. 35When the men of that place recognized him, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought to him all those who were sick 36and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak, and as many as touched it were healed.
Reflection:
Jesus went up on the mountain by himself to pray. If we say we are too busy to pray, or too preoccupied to do the Lord’s work, we have to put down what makes us too busy in the first place. This is what Jesus does. He offers no excuses for being tired or being tied. He sends the disciples on a boat ahead of him and dismisses the crowds. Then he goes up on the mountain by himself to pray. After praying, Jesus has all the energy and the spirit to calm a storm and to heal the many sick people brought to him.
We are all very busy. But our tasks and responsibilities should not be excuses to skip moments with the Lord. We are drowned by our busyness because we pass off what could sustain us—quiet moments with the Lord, who is the source of our strength and who energizes us to face our busyness again.
Go to Mass after work today.