Mt 14:22-36 Walking On Water
(Click here for readings)
When the disciples saw Jesus 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.”
These past few days I’ve been on vacation in New York and have had the opportunity to watch some of the Olympics. I love the sportsmanship, competition and of course, the victories. What I don’t enjoy are the commentators. They can be very annoying, especially when they give their opinions. I’ve noticed a pattern in their comments: that if a team is winning it’s because they are very confident in themselves, and if they are losing it’s because they’ve lost all their confidence. God forbid they are losing because they didn’t work as hard as the other team. God forbid it’s because they never expected a challenge.
I don’t know about you, but I remember busting my behind in College to get good grades. I didn’t bust it because I was confident in myself; I busted it because I lacked confidence in myself. Thank God! I also remember some students waiting till the last minute to study for a test because they thought it would be easy. I began to see a pattern: those who thought the test would be easy scored low; those who thought it would be difficult, scored high.
Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on water. His problems began when he had far more confidence in the power of the storms (and wind) than in the power of the Son of God. There are two correct ways to read this Gospel: either Peter sank because he had more confidence in himself than in God or because he had more confidence in what others were saying and doing and less confidence in what God says and does.
It’s bad enough if we only listen to ourselves. It’s worse when we only listen to what others have to say. What we need is balance and order: first God and everything else will fall into place. We need to place much more confidence in God, our Creator and redeemer; the One who has proven, time and time again, the love He has for us.
I love myself because the Lord first loved me. I believe in myself, because I believe in God. I trust in myself, because I first trust in the Lord. If I can do some good, it’s because the Lord taught me what is good.
In 2007, over 90,000 young girls and boys underwent plastic surgery. They did it not to correct any life threatening problem or an objective defect. They did it because they were being bullied by classmates. Just recently, one young lady has been appearing on TV over and over again, giving free advertisement to an organization that does such deeds. Her mother defended her daughter’s decision because she was being bullied in school. Kids would often make fun of her ears, calling her “Dumbo”. When a reporter asked the young girl how she looked (after her surgery), she said she had no regrets: “I look beautiful, this is exactly what I wanted, I love it.”
I thought she wanted the bullying to stop.
Hm…I have a feeling this young girl will learn a very hard lesson. In our world full of sinners (bullies), the only way to stop a sinner is not by believing them, appeasing them or seeking their approval, but by converting them by showing them who you will believe.
I fear for this young girl. Her classmates may stop calling her “Dumbo”, but what will stop them from calling her “Plastic face”? And then…what will she do? What will her mother do?
In my opinion, this was a great victory for the bullies; and a tremendous defeat for common sense.
My fear is that this is the beginning of a new market. Already so many of our elementary school kids get their teeth whitened, false nails fastened, and hair colored. Why? Because someone in their class did it first. Actually, some parent, in their class, allowed it first. Slowly, but gradually, these common procedures will expand to different areas of the body and become less expensive, more attractive and a nightmare for good parents and children and a victory for business and overly confident parents that see what bullies see: “imagined defects” in their children.
The day will come when a child is bullied for not having had plastic surgery! Children will demand to have the “perfect” ears, “perfect” nose, “perfect” skin tone, “perfect” chin, “perfect” chest, etc…
I am not exaggerating; this is our pagan history. A new emerging market is just waiting to win acceptance and it will. A new business, based on a false sense of compassion, will emerge from all this publicity, forcing younger and young girls and boys to submit to the driving winds of false “perfection” and a false sense of confidence.
The “cover girl” for this organization has another thing coming if she thought that the bullying would come to an end. Bullies will come to an end, when we come to our senses and faith.
I could wear contacts. I refuse to do so. I consider wearing glasses as a great way to showcase something no one likes to show: my weaknesses and failings.
This is what we need to see. This is what the Lord wants us to see. This is the beginning step towards walking on water.
(Click here for readings)
When the disciples saw Jesus 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.”
These past few days I’ve been on vacation in New York and have had the opportunity to watch some of the Olympics. I love the sportsmanship, competition and of course, the victories. What I don’t enjoy are the commentators. They can be very annoying, especially when they give their opinions. I’ve noticed a pattern in their comments: that if a team is winning it’s because they are very confident in themselves, and if they are losing it’s because they’ve lost all their confidence. God forbid they are losing because they didn’t work as hard as the other team. God forbid it’s because they never expected a challenge.
I don’t know about you, but I remember busting my behind in College to get good grades. I didn’t bust it because I was confident in myself; I busted it because I lacked confidence in myself. Thank God! I also remember some students waiting till the last minute to study for a test because they thought it would be easy. I began to see a pattern: those who thought the test would be easy scored low; those who thought it would be difficult, scored high.
Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on water. His problems began when he had far more confidence in the power of the storms (and wind) than in the power of the Son of God. There are two correct ways to read this Gospel: either Peter sank because he had more confidence in himself than in God or because he had more confidence in what others were saying and doing and less confidence in what God says and does.
It’s bad enough if we only listen to ourselves. It’s worse when we only listen to what others have to say. What we need is balance and order: first God and everything else will fall into place. We need to place much more confidence in God, our Creator and redeemer; the One who has proven, time and time again, the love He has for us.
I love myself because the Lord first loved me. I believe in myself, because I believe in God. I trust in myself, because I first trust in the Lord. If I can do some good, it’s because the Lord taught me what is good.
In 2007, over 90,000 young girls and boys underwent plastic surgery. They did it not to correct any life threatening problem or an objective defect. They did it because they were being bullied by classmates. Just recently, one young lady has been appearing on TV over and over again, giving free advertisement to an organization that does such deeds. Her mother defended her daughter’s decision because she was being bullied in school. Kids would often make fun of her ears, calling her “Dumbo”. When a reporter asked the young girl how she looked (after her surgery), she said she had no regrets: “I look beautiful, this is exactly what I wanted, I love it.”
I thought she wanted the bullying to stop.
Hm…I have a feeling this young girl will learn a very hard lesson. In our world full of sinners (bullies), the only way to stop a sinner is not by believing them, appeasing them or seeking their approval, but by converting them by showing them who you will believe.
I fear for this young girl. Her classmates may stop calling her “Dumbo”, but what will stop them from calling her “Plastic face”? And then…what will she do? What will her mother do?
In my opinion, this was a great victory for the bullies; and a tremendous defeat for common sense.
My fear is that this is the beginning of a new market. Already so many of our elementary school kids get their teeth whitened, false nails fastened, and hair colored. Why? Because someone in their class did it first. Actually, some parent, in their class, allowed it first. Slowly, but gradually, these common procedures will expand to different areas of the body and become less expensive, more attractive and a nightmare for good parents and children and a victory for business and overly confident parents that see what bullies see: “imagined defects” in their children.
The day will come when a child is bullied for not having had plastic surgery! Children will demand to have the “perfect” ears, “perfect” nose, “perfect” skin tone, “perfect” chin, “perfect” chest, etc…
I am not exaggerating; this is our pagan history. A new emerging market is just waiting to win acceptance and it will. A new business, based on a false sense of compassion, will emerge from all this publicity, forcing younger and young girls and boys to submit to the driving winds of false “perfection” and a false sense of confidence.
The “cover girl” for this organization has another thing coming if she thought that the bullying would come to an end. Bullies will come to an end, when we come to our senses and faith.
I could wear contacts. I refuse to do so. I consider wearing glasses as a great way to showcase something no one likes to show: my weaknesses and failings.
This is what we need to see. This is what the Lord wants us to see. This is the beginning step towards walking on water.
When I'm having a rough week, the Alfonse doom and gloom message annoys me. :( I understand the idea of providing real-life examples to the gospel message. I don't see how 100% confidence in God can help alleviate any of the "pagan" situations facing America today. I love and trust in the Lord. I have faith and a sense of right from wrong. But, I'm still not seeing anything going right. The last year and a half has been a world wind. I'm beginning to truly hate my life! I try to keep my chin up but the "doom and gloom" of society continues to wear me down. In some respects, I wonder if becoming an atheist and not having any trust in a God would be a better situation. I know this sounds totally nuts. But, when a society like ours is going so backwards and Americans are so stupid (not all but the majority)how can faith in God possibly fix anything? I want to see some progress that society will get better as I get older. I see the opposite happening, especially in light of all of the abominations threatening us. I spoke to my mother the other day about moving away from Texas and the US. Making another country my home just to get away from all of the American atrocities. Of course, I realize this is just trying to escape. Other countries are not much better off. I fight each and every day for some kind of meaning in my life. Some kind of purpose. At one time I thought I knew exactly how to "walk on water." Now I'm confused. I feel like I'm drowning in water out of sheer fear and anxiety not knowing where my life is heading or the society I live in.
ReplyDelete(I'm sorry I'm not my normal cheery self.)
Blessings & Peace,
-Jennifer
I am not exaggerating; this is our pagan history- YOU are SO! right FATHER Alfonse you are not exaggerating.
ReplyDeleteAnd it is extremely sad to know that our children in today's Generation(I thought my Generation (The Y Generation)was messed up)is doing this to them-self.
I pray Every Day and Thank GOD that my baby's(my children) has not yet gone through or have thought of changing them self of their appearance because another child or person is picking on them or cutting them down.
God Bless YOU My Father :)
God bless you my Father :)
I could wear contacts. I refuse to do so.I consider wearing glasses as a great way to showcase something no one likes to show: my weaknesses and failings.- WOW! Father! I'm speechless...... I never saw it that way(of course that is in your case). But in my case the reason why I wear glasses is because I can not afford contacts. LOL!!!
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to make u laugh Father Alfonse!;)
Have a safe Tuesday:)
Cristina - I love your energy and cheerfulness. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. You've put a smile in my face today. I certainly need it to get me out of a slump. :)
DeleteI oscillate between contact lenses and glasses depending on how my eyeballs feel. Normally I wear them at work but switch to contacts when I'm at church or special occasions. Having worn glasses since I was 2 years old, and thick lenses at best, I was always super self conscious of being labeled "four eyes." I was totally geeky!!! Thank goodness for contacts to make me look somewhat more attractive. I was told by my bully friends how ugly I was for way too many years. However, I always believed in natural. If people don't like the way I look then that's their problem. I know God loves me the way he created me even if I don't always love myself, especially as I get older and see the grey hairs, bags under the eyes, wrinkles, etc. Even if I had all the money in the world I'd never resort to cosmetic surgery. Makes me wonder as these "plastic kids" age how deformed they will look. How many surgeries will they need to correct their original "correction"? Bullies are the bowels of society. Why on earth try to please them with pricey plastic perfection?
Blessings & Peace,
-Jennifer
I love myself because the Lord first loved me. I believe in myself, because I believe in God. I trust in myself, because I first trust in the Lord. If I can do some good, it’s because the Lord taught me what is good. - I love what u wrote here! I finally LOVE myself for the first time after 6 years
ReplyDeleteI enjoy taken your blog apart and try to understand everything u write Father
I feel sorry for bullies! Instead of calling them the bowels of society, I usally pity them.
ReplyDeleteKids aren't mean because they are naturally evil or heartless. Normally, it is someone else who has made them heartless. This kid who teased her about her ears I bet it trying to cover up something he/she feels self conscience about. They might feel bad about something their parents said about them. The over weight kid is teased by the drill team captain because she is scared of being over weight herself, or doesn't want to fall out of the popular circle because then (in her mind) where would her place be in this world. Many kids from broken homes are bullies. They parents just split up and they are powerless to stop it. By teasing another kid, they do have power over something. It is an immature way to handle things but who is there to teach them differently? The bully needs helped as much or maybe even more than the bullied child. They are in need!!
I absolutely agree bullies need help just as much as the bullied child. Bullies have insecurities and fears. They may come from broken homes. They lack a good mentor. However, these are no excuses for their behavior. I know of children with psych problems, but the difference is they'd never portray hate, teasing, and disrespect on others.
DeleteI worry that if we "pity" the bully too much this just enables the bad behavior to continue. Just think if we could eliminate the bullying how much better off our schools would be. Maybe kids would actually **learn** grammar and arithmetic instead of Fighting 101 and Plastic Surgery 101. Maybe our educational system would improve.
Have you ever been bullied? Do you have a child (or know a child) who's a bully? I think pitying a bully is a form of complacency in some respects. I know way too many kid bullies who grow up to be adult bullies. These "adult bullies" think it's ok to mock and hate. They instill this on their children and then the bullying cycle continues. Kids may not be mean but adults certainly can be mean. I wonder how many convicts in our prison system were kid bullies?
I was thinking of what it would be like if one of Jesus' Apostles was a bully. Can you imagine someone like John or James teasing the poor demoniacs while Jesus was up praying on the mountain? (I know, strange thought...) We are all called to be disciples of Christ. We are called to love one another. We are not called to debase and demoralize others. Also, we are not called to play the role of the innocent victim. Non-bullies need to learn to be strong and to love themselves. Yes, I know this is tough.
Blessings & Peace,
-Jennifer
The commentators on NBC are downright obnoxious at times. I'll cheer for the American athletes when they're there, but I won't begrudge other athletes for their accomplishments. It becomes absurd when silver or bronze are seen as failures. Perhaps I'm only noticing it now, but I see dirty looks and often tears on those on the podium who aren't wearing gold. How much validation does a person need if winning an Olympic medal isn't enough?
ReplyDeleteThis ties in with your example of the girl receiving plastic surgery. She obviously felt incomplete and inadequate with her ears. She blames the bullies, but she could've walked past those bullies like Peter walking on water. Instead she drowned in this fragile narcissism and now asks others to jump in with her. We should give this girl and others like her a lifesaver. This type of behavior not an occasion to be depressed but rather an opportunity to save and be an instrument of God's peace. Instead of lamenting the fall of our youth, we should really reach out to them. They may seem perpetually connected with others and perpetually socializing, but many need a mentor and a friend. Otherwise, their opinions about themselves will be informed by immature kids who either have the same problems they have, or who have learned to exploit their problems to boost their own egos (i.e. bullies).
The commentators on NBC are downright obnoxious at times. I'll cheer for the American athletes when they're there, but I won't begrudge other athletes for their accomplishments. It becomes absurd when silver or bronze are seen as failures. Perhaps I'm only noticing it now, but I see dirty looks and often tears on those on the podium who aren't wearing gold. How much validation does a person need if winning an Olympic medal isn't enough?
ReplyDeleteThis ties in with your example of the girl receiving plastic surgery. She obviously felt incomplete and inadequate with her ears. She blames the bullies, but she could've walked past those bullies like Peter walking on water. Instead she drowned in this fragile narcissism and now asks others to jump in with her. We should give this girl and others like her a lifesaver. This type of behavior not an occasion to be depressed but rather an opportunity to save and be an instrument of God's peace. Instead of lamenting the fall of our youth, we should really reach out to them. They may seem perpetually connected with others and perpetually socializing, but many need a mentor and a friend. Otherwise, their opinions about themselves will be informed by immature kids who either have the same problems they have, or who have learned to exploit their problems to boost their own egos (i.e. bullies).
The girl's story makes me think of a Christian song called "More Beautiful You" by Jonny Diaz. If you'd like to listen to it and see the lyrics: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8NvU9Ah-uY
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteMatthew 23:9
(NKJV)
Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven.
Yes, my child. So what exactly do you want to say? That you should not call your daddy, "father"? If you wish to take a literalist approach that has no historical basis, not even ancient Jewish roots, then that is your prerogative. If what you are saying by quoting this passage out of context, is that you should call no clergy "Father" then why does St. Paul refer to Timothy has his son? Why is the human family a reflection of the Trinity? Why is the Church considered a family where God is our Father, Mary, our Mother, the Saints are brothers and Christ our brother?
ReplyDelete2nd. If you wish to take a literalist approach to scripture then I wish you would be consistant in your literalism. That is, I wish you would take the Body and Blood of Christ exactly like the Lord called it. "Take this all of you and eat it...This is my flesh...This is my blood." The Lord could not have been more descriptive of this. And in this case, you would not only be correct in your personalistic interpretation of scripture, but you would actually be correct in the historical interpretation of scripture.
- Fr. Alfonse