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Fr George's Letter

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Written by: Fr George

JESUS STRETCHED OUT HIS HAND.

“The virtues build a new person radiating love to the world.”

 (Metropolitan Paul (Yazigi) of Aleppo who consecrated our temple.)

 

“For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”  

                                                                                      (Hebrews 4:15-16)

 

SUNDAY 2^nd AUGUST. Translation of the relics of the Protomartyr and Archdeacon Stephen from Jerusalem to Constantinople. Hieromartyr Stephen, Pope of Rome. St. Basil of Moscow, Fool-for-Christ. 

 

“If you pass through water, I am with you; and the rivers shall not overwhelm you.”  (Isaiah 43:2)

 

“Every day I lay down a foundation for building repentance, and again with my very own hands, do I tear it down.” 

                                                                                    St. Ephrem the Syrian)  

 

TODAY’S GOSPEL. MATTHEW 14:22-34. “Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. But now the boat was in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord save me!”  And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. Then those who were in the boat came and worshipped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.” When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret.”  

 

Like His childhood of which the Gospels tell us little, we do not know what happened when Jesus was alone in prayer. This is a mystery; He had been surrounded by multitudes of people whom He had healed and miraculously fed and then sent away. His disciples had also been dismissed and sent over the Sea of Galilee to the other side. How was He going to re-join them? For to go all the way round on foot was a long journey especially arduous at night. 

The disciples were used to sailing on the water but found themselves battling against the wind and rough waves. Most of us have found ourselves struggling to cope at one time or another, tossed about on the sea of life. In the midst of the storm trying to control the boat, the disciples see what they thought was a ghost, they were frightened. As ever when human beings are approached by God we become afraid before the power and majesty of the Almighty. The disciples were no exception but always, always, the heavenly greeting breaks down our fears by telling us not to be afraid. Impetuous Peter, still with lingering doubts asks ‘if it is You’.

Peter’s faith leads him to walk on the water towards Christ. Our faith can enable us to do remarkable things, but like Peter, when we take our eyes off Jesus things start to go wrong. The gentle rebuke of Jesus to Peter becomes an overwhelming act of love when He stretches out His hand to pull him out of the drowning waves. Peter’s plea of “Lord save me!” when in trouble, is the proto-prayer of the Jesus prayer so widely used in our churches; “O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me the sinner.”  This prayer can be said at anytime and in any place so that we of little faith may be assured of the Holy Hand that will be stretched out to us and lift us up. 

                                                                                   Much Love, 

 

                                                                                   Fr. George.