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Gospel Reading for August 05, 2025 – Matthew 14: 22-36
IN CONTROL
Jesus made the disciples get into a boat and precede him to the other side of the sea, while he dismissed the crowds. After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When it was evening he was there alone. Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore, was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it. During the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them, walking on the sea. When the disciples saw him 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.” Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” After they got into the boat, the wind died down. Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying, “Truly, you are the Son of God.” After making the crossing, they came to land at Gennesaret. When the men of that place recognized him, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought to him all those who were sick and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak, and as many as touched it were healed.
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We become anxious and worried when we are unable to control certain things, not being able to make decisions on our own because it involves several people or things. We tend to believe that things got out of hand. This is a reality of life – We cannot always be IN CONTROL of things or situations, but one thing is for sure: We can be IN CONTROL of our lives, of ourselves, depending upon how we see things and the things we believe in.
When we have true faith in God, the more the storms, the greater they are, the nearer and the closer we are to him. We cling to him as a terminal patient is dependent on life support. We are sure that if we cannot be in control, he can surely be.
Remember the people in the ship Titanic, who were doomed to die because there were no more life boats left? It is popular belief that while the ship was sinking, the band played the hymn written by Sarah Flower Adams, NEARER MY GOD TO THEE –
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer to Thee;
E’en though it be a cross
That raiseth me,
Still all my song shall be
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer to Thee.
Though, like a wanderer,
The sun gone down,
Darkness comes over me,
My rest a stone;
Yet in my dreams I’d be
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer to Thee.
There let me see the sight,
An open heaven;
All that Thou sendest me,
In mercy given;
Angels to beckon me
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer to Thee.
Then, with my waking thoughts
Bright with Thy praise,
Out of my stony griefs
Bethel I’ll raise,
So by my woes to be
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer to Thee.
Lord Jesus, when we are beset with so many problems, may we always remember what you said: “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”
