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Tuesday, August 2, 2016

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St. Eusebius of Vercelli
St. Peter Julian Eymard


Jeremiah 30:1-2, 12-15, 18-22
Psalm 102:16-23, 29
Matthew 14:22-36

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sinker

"Lord, if it is really You, tell me to come to You across the water." —Matthew 14:28

"Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water, moving toward Jesus" (Mt 14:29). Peter became afraid and began to sink. After pulling him up, Jesus exclaimed: "How little faith you have!...Why did you falter?" (Mt 14:31) If Jesus was disappointed in Peter's little faith, what about the faith of those who were still in the boat? If Jesus is displeased with those sinking in the water, what about those who are working their way up to sinking? "When the Son of Man comes, will He find any faith on the earth?" (Lk 18:8)

Do you remember when the disciples did not deliver a boy from a demon? Jesus did not blame the devil, the boy, or the father. He blamed the disciples' lack of faith (Mt 17:19-20). If they possessed just a little faith, the size of a mustard seed, they could have set the boy free (Mt 17:20). However, most of us have not failed to drive out demons; we failed to possess the faith even to try deliverance. Must Jesus repeat to us: "What an unbelieving and perverse lot you are! How long must I remain with you? How long can I endure you?" (Mt 17:17)

Jesus has a much higher standard for faith than we do. His ways are not our ways (Is 55:8). Ask for and expect more faith.

Prayer:  Father, erase the way I used to think about faith. Let me start over and believe.

Promise:  "You shall be My people, and I will be your God." —Jer 30:22

Praise:  St. Eusebius learned his faith from his father who had been martyred. His faith remained staunch despite imprisonment, beatings, and starvation.

Reference:  (If you are divorced or widowed, you may feel you are drowning in a sea. Call 513-373-2397 or visit our website for information for this September retreat for the Divorced and Widowed.)

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, February 23, 2016

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