Rock and Reservation

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to “go the distance” in our actions that contribute to making Christ present in our environment.

Going the Distance

The Reading from the Book of Numbers describes the Need for Water at Kadesh and the Sin of Moses and Aaron.

* [20:1] The wilderness of Zin: a barren region with a few good oases, southwest of the Dead Sea. See note on 13:21. The first month: we would expect the mention also of the day and of the year (after the exodus) when this took place; cf. similar dates in 1:1; 10:11; 33:38; Dt 1:3. Here the full date is left unspecified. According to one chronology, the Israelites arrived in Kadesh in the third year after the exodus (cf. Dt 1:46). But the itinerary in chap. 33 would suggest the fortieth year, the year in which Aaron died (33:38).

* [20:11] Twice: perhaps because he did not have sufficient faith to work the wonder with the first blow. Cf. v. 12.

* [20:12–13] What lay behind Moses and Aaron’s lack of confidence is not made explicit in the text. Holiness: an allusion to the name of the place, Kadesh, which means “holy, sanctified, sacred.” Meribah means “contention.” Cf. Ex 17:7. (Numbers, CHAPTER 20 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 95 is a call to praise and worship God.

* [Psalm 95] Twice the Psalm calls the people to praise and worship God (Ps 95:1–2, 6), the king of all creatures (Ps 95:3–5) and shepherd of the flock (Ps 95:7a, 7b). The last strophe warns the people to be more faithful than were their ancestors in the journey to the promised land (Ps 95:7c–11). This invitation to praise God regularly opens the Church’s official prayer, the Liturgy of the Hours. (Psalms, PSALM 95 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Matthew presents Peter’s Confession About Jesus and the First Prediction of the Passion.

* [16:13–20] The Marcan confession of Jesus as Messiah, made by Peter as spokesman for the other disciples (Mk 8:27–29; cf. also Lk 9:18–20), is modified significantly here. The confession is of Jesus both as Messiah and as Son of the living God (Mt 16:16). Jesus’ response, drawn principally from material peculiar to Matthew, attributes the confession to a divine revelation granted to Peter alone (Mt 16:17) and makes him the rock on which Jesus will build his church (Mt 16:18) and the disciple whose authority in the church on earth will be confirmed in heaven, i.e., by God (Mt 16:19).

* [16:21–23] This first prediction of the passion follows Mk 8:31–33 in the main and serves as a corrective to an understanding of Jesus’ messiahship as solely one of glory and triumph. By his addition of from that time on (Mt 16:21) Matthew has emphasized that Jesus’ revelation of his coming suffering and death marks a new phase of the gospel. Neither this nor the two later passion predictions (Mt 17:22–23; 20:17–19) can be taken as sayings that, as they stand, go back to Jesus himself. However, it is probable that he foresaw that his mission would entail suffering and perhaps death, but was confident that he would ultimately be vindicated by God (see Mt 26:29). (Matthew, CHAPTER 16 | USCCB, n.d.)

Barbara Dilly reflects on the words in Psalm 95.

The Psalmist says one way to demonstrate that we hear the Lord’s voice is to joyfully sing psalms as we bow down in worship to the Lord, acclaiming the Rock of our salvation. Jesus says he will build his church on our faith in this Rock of our salvation, where evil shall not prevail. This is where listening is important. We have heard of the works of the Lord since ancient times written in the Scriptures.There is enough there for us to understand how God works. It should give us great confidence in clear directions for our lives. Still, we often refuse to accept God’s truths as we hear the Word of God and to align our lives with them. We so easily speculate that they might not pertain to our times or to us. But if we are waiting for specific instructions, we are hardening our hearts. I pray today that we are all challenged to take the words of Psalm 95 very personally. (Dilly, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Only by hope,” by Basil the Great, 329-379 A.D.

"'Turn, O my soul, into your rest: for the Lord has been bountiful to you' (Psalm 114:7). The brave contestant applies to himself the consoling words, very much like to Paul, when he says: 'I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith. For the rest, there is laid up for me a crown of justice.' These things the prophet also says to himself: Since you have fulfilled sufficiently the course of this life, turn then to your rest, 'for the Lord has been bountiful to you.' For, eternal rest lies before those who have struggled through the present life observant of the laws, a rest not given in payment for a debt owed for their works but provided as a grace of the munificent God for those who have hoped in him." (excerpt from HOMILIES 22) (Schwager, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler reflects on the texts of today. In the Book of Numbers the people now complain that they don’t have water. Maribah, a place of rebellion, and Moses acts to keep him from the Holy Land. Did he strike the wrong place?, or strike twice? It is not clear. Near Caesarea Philippi and a pool Jesus asks “Who do people say I am?” In Matthew, the “Son of God” is added to account from Mark. In Matthew, there is an interlude before Peter is told “get behind me”. Before Jesus responds, he will call Peter “the Rock”. The church is mentioned here and the gates of the underworld, as they are near a pagan worship site. The demonic forces will not defeat the Church. Friar Jude comments that he keys to the Kingdom and the rabbinic authority of binding and loosing, how to follow the Law, is given to Peter, who is made a “super rabbi” for the Church.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces religious historian Diana Butler Bass who explores what it meant for Jesus to be called “teacher” or “rabbi”.

As a teacher, Jesus is not contradicting Moses or demeaning other Jewish teachers. He is offering his interpretation of the law, teachings that surprised his followers with their originality and insight. To understand Jesus as a teacher in this sense—even if one does consider him divine—is to remember that teachers, even those with great authority, teach within a long line of communal interpretation, something that Jesus himself would have known. Jesus does not replace. Jesus reimagines and expands, inviting an alternative and often innovative reading of Jewish tradition….  

As a rabbi, Jesus was remarkable, challenging, and inventive. His teachings remain compelling, influencing people throughout the ages and well beyond Christianity; and those teachings stand on their own as beautiful without needing to diminish others…. If Christians really followed the one they claimed as Teacher, the world would be a more just and loving place. (Rohr, n.d.)

We implore the strength of the Spirit to be fully committed to the mission of our Baptismal Anointing as priest, prophet, and leader in our environment.

References

Dilly, B. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved August 7, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-august-7-2025 

Matthew, CHAPTER 16 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved August 7, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/16?13 

Numbers, CHAPTER 20 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved August 7, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/numbers/20?1 

Psalms, PSALM 95 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved August 7, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/95?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved August 7, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/a-teacher-and-sage/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). You Are the Christ - the Son of the Living God. Daily Scripture Net. Retrieved Aug 7, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=aug7 

Saved from Sinking

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to confront the jealousy, sense of separation, and turbulence in our lives that inhibit our acceptance of Jesus' invitation to escape drowning in our sea of distractions.

Sailing not Sinking

The Reading from the Book of Numbers reveals the Jealousy of Aaron and Miriam.

* [12:1] Cushite woman: apparently Zipporah, the Midianite, is meant; cf. Ex 2:21.

* [12:2] The apparent reason for Miriam’s and Aaron’s quarrel with their brother Moses was jealousy of his authority; his Cushite wife served only as an occasion for the dispute.

* [12:7] Worthy of trust: the text is open to a variety of interpretations. Thus, the word of Moses may be relied upon by Israel because God speaks to him directly; or, Moses alone is worthy of God’s trust in God’s household (heavenly or earthly). An alternative translation, however, is: “with all my house he is entrusted.”

* [12:10] Stricken with a scaly infection, white as snow: see note on Lv 13:1–14:47. The point of the simile lies either in the flakiness or the whiteness of snow. (Numbers, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 51 is a lament over sin.

* [Psalm 51] A lament, the most famous of the seven Penitential Psalms, prays for the removal of the personal and social disorders that sin has brought. The poem has two parts of approximately equal length: Ps 51:3–10 and Ps 51:11–19, and a conclusion in Ps 51:20–21. (Psalms, PSALM 51 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus rescues Peter Walking on the Water.

* [14:22–33] The disciples, laboring against the turbulent sea, are saved by Jesus. For his power over the waters, see note on Mt 8:26. Here that power is expressed also by his walking on the sea (Mt 14:25; cf. Ps 77:20; Jb 9:8). Matthew has inserted into the Marcan story (Mk 6:45–52) material that belongs to his special traditions on Peter (Mt 14:28–31).

* [14:25] The fourth watch of the night: between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m. The Romans divided the twelve hours between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. into four equal parts called “watches.”

* [14:27] It is I: see note on Mk 6:50.

* [14:31] You of little faith: see note on Mt 6:30. Why did you doubt?: the verb is peculiar to Matthew and occurs elsewhere only in Mt 28:17.

* [14:33] This confession is in striking contrast to the Marcan parallel (Mk 6:51) where the disciples are “completely astounded.” (Matthew, CHAPTER 14 | USCCB, n.d.)

Becky Nickerson would like to think that if Jesus commanded her to walk out on the water to Him that she would jump out of that boat and run across the water and jump into His arms. But would she? Or, like Peter, would she allow a bit of doubt to sink in and cause her to hesitate?

Even when our belief is strong, our faith sometimes falters. Perhaps our past experiences, discomfort with the unknown, or our mere brokenness as humans can lead to a sense of hesitancy in our connection with Christ. A hesitancy that could even possibly be perceived as a sense of distrust.

The Gospel goes on to paint a beautifully reassuring picture: Peter called out to the Lord to be saved, and “immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him.”  What a grace! I extend an invitation to pray today with the vision of Christ crouching with arms wide open, ready to wrap us up in unconditional love. And as we run to that embrace, hair bouncing, smiling and giggling, even when we hesitate (or even trip), take comfort in knowing that Christ will stretch even further and catch us. (Nickerson, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Welcoming the Lord Jesus with expectant faith and humility,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"While human praise does not tempt the Lord, people are often ruffled and nearly entranced by human praise and honors in the church. Peter was afraid on the sea, terrified by the great force of the storm. Indeed, who does not fear that voice: 'Those who say you are happy place you in error and disturb the path of your feet' (Isaiah 3:12 Vulgate translation)? And since the soul struggles against the desire for human praise, it is good for it to turn to prayer and petition amid such danger, lest one who is charmed by praise be overcome by criticism and reproach. Let Peter, about to sink in the waves, cry out and say, 'Lord, save me!' The Lord reached out his hand. He chided Peter, saying, 'O man of little faith, why did you doubt?' - that is, why did you not, gazing straight at the Lord as you approached, pride yourself only in him? Nevertheless he snatched Peter from the waves and did not allow him who was declaring his weakness and asking the Lord for help to perish." (excerpt from SERMON 75:10) (Schwager, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler reflects on the texts of today. In the Book of Numbers, Miriam and Aaron are jealous of Moses' special relationship with God and complain using Moses' marriage to a Cushite as a pretense. They should accept God’s will. Charisms are given and not our property but to serve the building of the Kingdom. Moses intercedes for Miriam after her error. In Matthew’s Gospel, after praying on a mountain, where people meet God, Late in night the disciples are terrified by Jesus walking on the sea. Impetuous Peter gets out to walk on the water but loses faith and he is rebuked a bit for lack of faith. The three types of miracles, nature, exorcism and healing are presented and Friar Jude reminds us that walking on the sea was seen as a form of exorcism of the demonic creatures believed to be in the sea.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, considers wisdom a path of transformation based on humility and honesty and grounded in reality. 

 

Consider the concrete teaching style of Jesus. He teaches in the temple area several times, but most of his teaching involves walking with people on the streets, out into the desert, and often into nature. His examples come from the things he sees around him: birds, flowers, animals, clouds, landlords and tenants, little children, women baking and sweeping. It’s amazing that we made his teaching into something other than that.  

Jesus teaches with anecdote, parable, and concrete example much more than by creating a systematic theology; it was more the way of “darkness” than the way of light. Yet it was Jesus’s concrete examples that broke people through to the universal light. “Particulars” seem to most open us up to universals, which is what poets have always understood. (Rohr, n.d.)

We seek the guidance of the Spirit to reveal Jesus' Way of maintaining our faith in times of turmoil and fear on our journey over the sea of our passage in life.

References

Matthew, CHAPTER 14 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved August 5, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/14?22 

Nickerson, B. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved August 5, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-august-5-2025 

Numbers, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved August 5, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/numbers/12?1 

Psalms, PSALM 51 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved August 5, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/51?3 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved August 5, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/grounded-in-reality/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). It Is I - Have No Fear. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved August 5, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=aug5