Issue 8 / August / 2011

The Gospel of Matthew

e-Good News

During August the Gospels remind us that each of us is required to have a personal relationship with Jesus.
Each of the Gospel accounts of the feeding of the crowd is followed with a story of Jesus coming to rescue the disciples in a storm. Matthew begins his account with Jesus sending the crowds home and asking the disciples to go ahead of him.
Jesus wanted to spend time in prayer. The disciples wanted to make progress without Jesus but failed due to conditions. We learn that when there are storms, Jesus can intervene for us. We also can learn that sometimes in our naivety we try to do things without Jesus. It is Jesus who saves each of us. During August the Gospels remind us that each of us is required to have a personal relationship with Jesus. We are invited to reflect on the important question, Who do you think I am? It is not a group response, but an invitation for each individual person to answer the question of who is Jesus and what is my relationship with him really like. As we read the Gospel this month, let us reflect on our personal relationship with Jesus. We pray for courage to trust and follow him even if it means getting out of the comfort of the boat and doing what he asks!

Read the Gospel either from your missal or from your Bible

Sunday 7th August -19th Sunday in Ordinary Time The Calming of the Storm
Matthew 14: 22-33

Sunday Reflection
22 23 24 25 26 27

pointers for Prayer

1

In Matthew, Jesus is often in charge, directing things. Jesus acts like Moses. He is along; they are without him. Futile effort and impossible odds are symbolised by the sea. Early in the morning recalls resurrection appearances. The reactions are part of the epiphany style. Courage is exactly what they need; It is I = YHWH of Exodus 3:14. Even in symbolic narrative, Peters character comes through. Walking on the water = sharing the victory of the Risen Lord. A bit late in the day!!! His prayer to be saved comes from the heart. Tremendous image of Jesus reaching out and catching hold of him. They calm, they desired, from the Psalm. Then comes the moment of worship.

The story illustrates the power of faith. Have you noticed that when you believe in someone, or something, you can do things that would not be possible when you are full of doubts? Recall moments when your faith gave you strength and courage? Name for yourself the different kinds of faith that had this effect: belief in yourself, trust in another, faith in God. When Jesus got into the boat the winds ceased. Who has been a Jesus person for you and helped to calm a storm that frightened you or made you anxious? The experience of Peter gives encouragement to us when we waver in our trust and belief in God. In his doubt and fear Jesus reached out to him. Who has reached out a helping hand to you when you felt you were sinking? The story ends with a profession of faith in Jesus as the Son of God. Have you had experiences of being rescued from some hazard or danger, experiences which deepened your faith in the presence and compassion of God for you?

28 29 30

31

32 33

Prayer
GOD OF ALL POWER, your sovereign word comes to us in Christ. When your Church is in danger, make us firm in our trust; when your people falter, steady our faith. Show is in Jesus your power to save, that we may always acclaim him as Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.

Read the Gospel either from your missal or from your Bible

Sunday 14th August -20th Sunday in Ordinary Time Women, you have great faith
Matthew 15:21-28

Sunday Reflection
34

POINTERS FOR PRAYER

1

In Matthew, Jesus does not go outside Jewish territory. Probably we should translate, Jesus went towards or in the direction of Tyre and Sidon (a definitely Gentile area). Again, we should translate, a woman came out from that region, i.e. she left home and entered the land of Israel to meet Jesus. Calling her a Canaanite evokes the ancient, historical enemies of the Israelites. The woman calls Jesus Lord no fewer than three times. This ignoring her (probably a bit of a shock for us) resembles his reaction in Matthew 8:7. Translating that verse as a question makes more sense of the centurions reaction in the next verse. Possibly we are overhearing the tendency of some in the Matthean community to exclude those of Gentile origin. A plea, simple and full of pathos, resembling many prayers in the Psalms. Matthew omits the softening in Marks first, which gave grounds for hope. The parabolic reply is accordingly more absolute and blunt. Bread means salvation, the offer of the Kingdom. Dogs means the Gentiles is a very insulting way. In Matthew, the woman accepts the priority of the Jews and even the insult of dogs. This is very like the reaction of Jesus in the story of the centurion: When Jesus heard him, he was amazed and said to those who followed him, Truly I tell you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith (Matthew 8:10). Likewise the closing of the miracle story is dispatched in similar words: And to the centurion Jesus said, Go; let it be done for you according to your faith. And the servant was healed in that hour. (Matthew 8:13).

35

Having met with rejection from the Pharisees Jesus goes towards Gentile territory and encounters faith in an unexpected place, in the Canaanite woman. His mission had previously been to his own people. This adds a new dimension to his mission. Have you had occasions when a chance encounter set your life off in a new direction? The Canaanite woman was not concerned for herself but for her daughter. Recall people you have known who have been committed to a noble cause. The initial reaction of Jesus to the woman was one of rejection but her persistence won a response from him. When have you found that persistence was needed to gain what you sought? What did that experience teach you? Who are the Canaanite women who call out for attention today people in church or state whose needs are not being attended to?

36

37

38

39

40

41

Prayer
GOD OF THE NATIONS, to your table all are invited and in your family no one is a stranger. Satisfy the hunger of those gathered in this house of prayer, and mercifully extend to all the people on earth the joy of salvation and faith. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.

Read the Gospel either from your missal or from your Bible

Sunday 21st August 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Who do you say I am?
Matthew 16:13-20

Sunday Reflection
13

POINTERS FOR PRAYER

1

Caesarea Philippi had associations with Baal and with Pan. The sacred nature may contrast with the confession here. Son of Man is used in the strong sense based Daniel. This list reflects the Old Testament above. Alone in the Gospels, Matthew names the prophet Jeremiah and seems to have a special interest in him. The direct questions jump out of the text and speak to us today. Matthew adds Son of the living God. Compare: But Jesus was silent. Then the high priest said to him, I put you under oath before the living God, tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God. (Matthew 26:63) Starting with a beatitude, the text seems to move on to a report of a revelation, which many scholars think of as after the Resurrection. The resurrection appearance to Peter is reported in the New Testament but never narrated. The new role for Peter as Rabbi for the Christian community is described here. This has to do with inclusion and exclusion in the church an embryonic form of the later penitential practice and of the much later excommunication laws. POINTERS

14

This marks a turning point in the life of Jesus, and of the disciples. It is the first time that his disciples recognise him as the Messiah. Recall turning points in your own journey of faith when you came to some deeper understanding of who Jesus is. Who do you say that I am? This is possibly the most important question that Jesus puts to us. In your heart of hearts, how do you answer this question today? Jesus praises Peter for his faith and comments that this was not his own doing but a gift of God. Perhaps there have been times when you have been conscious of the gift of your faith. Be thankful for the gift you have received.

15 16

17

18

19

Prayer
LIVING GOD, you sent your Son among us to reveal your wisdom and make known your ways. Increase our faith, that we may confess Jesus as your Son, take up his work on earth, and trust his promise to sustain the Church.

Read the Gospel either from your missal or from your Bible

Sunday 28th August 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time The Conditions of Discipleship
Matthew 16: 21-27

Sunday Reflection
21

A generalised introduction to make a break with the confession. The details of the prediction are clarified in the light of what actually happened. Very strong words, especially the oath formula God forbid. Even stronger words. Calling the rock Satan is a bit of jolt. Stumbling block in Greek is skandalon, i.e. a hindrance to Jesus calling. The original is in the singular (he) and more direct. For the sake of inclusive language, the NRSV uses they etc., but the challenge is definitely individual. Again, this should be in the singular. The paradox expressed in the appropriate form ABB1A1, i.e. chiastic or x shaped. Rhetorical questions, amounting to implied syllogisms, to which the answer arises in our hearts. This verse pushes us forward to the so-called parable of the Last Judgment in Matthew 25 (really a teaching tableau)

POINTERS FOR PRAYER

1

22 23

Short-term loss is sometimes necessary for long-term gain as a student studying or an athlete training can testify. When have you found that denying yourself proved to be worthwhile because of what you gained afterwards? Jesus was teaching his followers that the path of discipleship would involve pain and suffering. Peter would have none of it. When have you found that taking up your cross brought you life, even though at the time it may have been difficult? Jesus knew that because his good news message was not acceptable to the authorities he would suffer and die, but God would see that evil would not have the last say. Have you seen a good news message survive even though opponents tried to stifle it? Jesus promised that those who suffer for the Kingdom would be rewarded. Perhaps, even in this earthly life, you have experienced reward.

24

25

26

27

Prayer
O GOD, whose word burns like a fire within us, grant us a bold and faithful spirit, that in your strength we may be unafraid to speak your word and follow where you lead. We make this prayer through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.

Follow e-Good News on Facebook

www.facebook.com/yearofevangelisation
Designed by Designbank Ltd. Reflections by Dr. Kieran J. OMahony OSA and community in Orlagh.