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Homily stories

17 May 2009 - Sixth Sunday of Easter, Cycle B

When I was a kid my brother Pat and I used to get in arguments with the neighbor kids. We went to Catholic school and they went to public school, and often the rhetoric devolved into snide comments about Catholics vs. “publics.” We may have felt that we had moral superiority on our side, but Steve, Jan, and Jeffrey held the trump card: Because they were publics they claimed exclusive ownership to the public sidewalks, which kept us trapped in our own front yard. Saint Peter seemed to be trapped in his own front yard, too, by being convinced that Jesus’ message of salvation was intended just for Jews. It’s hard to break out of a mindset that’s been drilled into you from the time you were a child. Yet for all his faults, and they were plentiful and very public, Peter was also morally resilient. He was able to open his heart to the truth that the Spirit moves in ways beyond our understanding and control. Knowing that the concepts we give our children about God and God’s ways are likely to hold sway in their hearts over the course of their lifetimes, it pays to make sure we’re conveying an honest and true image of God. Even though we and our children have been privileged to be raised in the Catholic faith, God’s ways are various and mysterious and we must let God be God–as if we had a choice in the matter!

Authors Tom McGrath

catholic schools Saint Peter Jesus' message jews

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Exploring the word

09 Aug 2020 - Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A

"Our God is a walking God,” in the words of a spiritual. Where does such an idea come from? On one level, it obviously means just what it says: God is on the move. We don’t believe in a static Deity who rested on the seventh day and hasn’t budged since. God is in motion, and the people of God are therefore pilgrims and sojourners on the road to a better day. But the image of a “walking God” is also biblical. God strolled in the garden in the cool of the evening, we are told, as the first man and woman hid guiltily among the trees. And when Moses, after years of intimate conversation with God, asked to see divinity up close, God’s “beauty” passed him by. Once more, the glory of God passed before Moses as he received the replacement tablets of the Law. Ever after, theophanies have been depicted as God crossings: encounters with the One who lives and has being—and moves. Walking, yes—but on water? It is not surprising to the biblically literate person that God walks. Nor should it amaze us that God might choose to take a stroll across the less-than-solid surface of the sea. Job first noted in his reply to Bildad that God alone “treads upon the crests of the sea.” Later, when God addresses Job in the great final audience, God borrows the image to confront his faithful servant: “Have you entered into the sources of the sea, or walked about in the depths of the abyss?” The image is far from random, as scripture elsewhere makes clear. Walking on water is not an activity that merely points out how special God is. Any miracle might make that case. But the abyss was a singular place of terror for ancient peoples, home to sea monsters like Leviathan, the great dark force that symbolized original chaos. The God of Genesis won a great victory over chaos in the ordering of creation. The Creator forced limits upon the sea by setting the firmament and causing the emergence of dry land. In the tension between ungoverned chaos and divine order, there is no contest. God and order take charge primordially. If chaos represents the disobedient heart bent on wild and unreasonable ways, then dominion over the sea means that God’s will is stronger than the very source of evil. God’s victory lap on the waves is a way of demonstrating who is sovereign. Christians should instantly recognize the signature of theophany in Jesus’ otherwise inscrutable walk across the Galilee. Over troubled waters No one ever mistook the original disciples for Christians, needless to say. Do they immediately recall the scriptures that will enable them to unpack this revelation as Jesus comes to them across the water? Unfortunately, no; their best guess is that they are seeing a ghost. Jesus offers them the biggest hint possible when he calls out, “Take courage, it is I.” Any half-awake student of the Bible might know that “It is I” and “I am he” are iterations of the unique address that God claims for all eternity: “I AM.” Sadly, the disciples are not even half awake. In the three gospels that tell this story (Luke doesn’t), the curious supernatural event takes place directly after the feeding of the 5,000, when one might presume the followers would be more alert to divine possibilities. Instead they depart the scene by boat, leaving Jesus to dismiss the crowds himself and then to enjoy a lone session of prayer. The disciples find themselves in troubled waters as a storm predictably arises in the absence of their Lord. Mark tells the story with theophany in mind. When Jesus comes walking on the waves, he intends “to pass them by”—not to ignore the disciples, certainly, but to “pass by” in the way divine glory traditionally does, after humanity gets a good look. Unlike Old Testament times, however, Jesus is persuaded not to go beyond the terrified group and gets into their boat instead. Chaos is immediately dispelled. Humanity is no longer left to fend for itself when the divine shares the same boat with us. Matthew enlarges the story to give a significant role to Peter, as is Matthew’s practice. In typical fashion, Peter first gets it right in his willingness to take a faith walk—and then gets it wrong as his faith proves to be too shallow for the task. This shift in perspective takes the emphasis off the theophany and puts it on the character of Peter, who represents the church. We have what we need so long as we stay focused on the Lord. We run into trouble when we focus on our fear. John’s version subtracts Peter from the story but alters the message by having the boat arrive instantaneously on the shore without Jesus getting into it. This addition shifts the focus away from Jesus and the disciples and toward the biblical image of Passover: the miraculous deliverance to dry land on the other side of the sea. Applying the word “It is I” It is I, Jesus insists in all three versions of this intriguing story. Whether you focus the story on theophany, discipleship, or Passover deliverance, the common element is the revelation of who Jesus really is. He is the one whom the wind and the seas must obey, the master over chaos. When we find ourselves on troubled waters, we can take courage: the Lord is near, even sharing the humble boat of our humanity. If we had the chutzpah of Peter, we might scramble into the water ourselves and start walking. Those among us who have are known as saints. But we know it takes only a mustard seed of faith to do what Peter did. When the Lord says, “Come,” any one of us might step out of the boat and face down the elements of chaos. The One who first subdued the wild abyss will not allow us to sink now. Related scripture links Christians as sojourners: 1 Pet. 2:11 God passing by: Gen. 3:8; Exod. 33:19, 22, 34:6 Walking on water as a divine action: Job 9:8, 38:16 Divine victory over the forces of the sea: Ps. 77:17-20; Isa. 43:16; Sir. 24:5-6; Mark 4:35-41; Matt. 8:23-27; Luke 8:22-25 I am he: Exod. 3:14; Deut. 32:39; Isa. 41:4, 43:10 Other walking on water stories: Mark 6:45-52; John 6:15-21

Authors Alice Camille

walking god walking on water Saint Peter

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Homily stories

09 Aug 2020 - Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A

Have you ever tried to teach someone to swim? That was part of my job description when I was a camp counselor back in high school. Some of the kids took to the water like little otters, slipping and swooshing around and having a ball. Others sank like the sand-filled milk bottles we used as anchors for the camp rowboats. The difference in outcomes had little to do with athletic ability and almost everything to do with fear—or lack of it. The ones who were not afraid swam like fish. The ones who were afraid of the water tended to splash and splutter wildly and sink, sink, sink—which of course did nothing to allay their fear of the water. Saint Peter demonstrates this principle quite effectively in today’s gospel. Impetuous as always, when Peter sees the astounding sight of Jesus walking toward his boat in the middle of the night, he rushes out to meet him. But quickly he begins to realize what he has just done. Like a cartoon character that ran too far off a short pier, he starts to sink. Luckily for him, Jesus is standing nearby and stretches out his hand, catches him up, and brings him to safety. As you navigate your way through the stormy waters of life, does fear give you a sinking feeling? Learn from Saint Peter. Know that Jesus is always nearby, ready to stretch out a hand and catch you up and bring you to safety. All it takes is a little faith.

Authors Tom McGrath

fears walking on water Saint Peter Faith

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Homily stories

09 Aug 2020 - Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A

We all have someone in our lives whom we think walks on water because of something he or she did for us or a loved one: the teacher who finally got through; the doctor who saved a life; the cop who came to the rescue; the counselor who helped turn things around; the friend who lent a helping hand; the lawyer who restored a good name; the neighbor with a generous spirit; the foe with a forgiving heart. One thing all of these water walkers have in common is the ability to bring order to a chaotic situation. The seas of our minds and hearts are roiling; we reach out; allow ourselves to trust; and are offered a sign of peace. Being dazed and confused, frightened and in pain is not how Jesus wants us to live. Think of the words of Jesus we repeat each time we gather at Eucharist: “My peace I leave you; my peace I give to you.” Remember Christ’s peace is yours for the taking. That is the miracle of Christian living. Problems and challenges don’t disappear but our fear of them does. Instead of Peter’s panic, “Lord, save me!”; our response can be modeled after Peter’s faith, “Lord, command me to come to you.” We can remain calm even in the midst of chaos. We can, in fact, walk on water. Believe that, and you will have plenty of peace to offer others.

Authors Patrice J. Tuohy

walking on water christ's peace fears Saint Peter chaos

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Homily stories

30 Aug 2020 - Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A

Who among us hasn’t thought: “I’ve worked so hard, been honest and true, I deserve rest and reward.” That only seems fair and reasonable. Good people deserve good lives—it’s the presupposition of most cultures—and the essence of the American Dream. Like Peter, we find it hard to believe that decent people could end in ignominious failure. Who wants to see themselves or their heroes ridiculed and reviled? Peter’s “say it ain’t so, Lord,” is a very human response to such disheartening news. But Jesus says not only is it so but to think otherwise is the work of the devil. The minute we begin to believe that we are entitled to a life free from sacrifice, we are not thinking as God does—for our God continually offers himself in sacrifice to us. Throughout his years of ministry, Jesus reminds us that true joy and rest come with discipleship—with following God’s ways of compassion and justice. So perhaps it’s time to take stock of your expectations. If you are hoping for your just rewards, you will be sorely disappointed, no matter how much money you make or fame you achieve. If, on the other hand, you are preparing for the many difficult days ahead by strengthening your love and commitment to others and to God, then you have already tapped into your heavenly treasure.

Authors Patrice J. Tuohy

american dream Saint Peter sacrifice expectations

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Quotes

03 Jan 2021 - Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord, Cycle B

If we want to find Jesus, we have to overcome our fear of taking risks . . . . We need to take risks simply to meet a child. —Pope Francis Lord Jesus . . . . every presence makes me feel that you are near; every touch is the touch of your hand; every necessity transmits to me a pulse of your will. —Pierre Teilhard de Chardin Today the Magi gaze in deep wonder at what they see: heaven on Earth, Earth in heaven, a human being in God, God in a human being, one whom the whole universe cannot contain now enclosed in a tiny body. —Saint Peter Chrysologus

Pope Francis Teilhard de Chardin Saint Peter Chrysologus

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Quotes

21 Feb 2021 - First Sunday of Lent, Cycle B

When you fast, see the fasting of others. If you want God to know that you are hungry, know that another is hungry. If you hope for mercy, show mercy. If you look for kindness, show kindness. If you want to receive, give. —Saint Peter Chrysologus Baptism is related not only to momentary experience, but to lifelong growth into Christ. . . . . As they grow in the Christian life of faith, baptized believers demonstrate that humanity can be regenerated and liberated. —Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry document from the World Council of Churches When . . . the Earth was flooded, Wisdom again saved it, piloting the righteous man on frailest wood. —Wisdom 10:4

Saint Peter Chrysologus

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Homily stories

09 May 2021 - Sixth Sunday of Easter, Cycle B

When I was a kid my brother Pat and I used to get in arguments with the neighbor kids. We went to Catholic school and they went to public school, and often the rhetoric devolved into snide comments about Catholics vs. “publics.” We may have felt that we had moral superiority on our side, but Steve, Jan, and Jeffrey held the trump card: Because they were publics they claimed exclusive ownership to the public sidewalks, which kept us trapped in our own front yard. Saint Peter seemed to be trapped in his own front yard, too, by being convinced that Jesus’ message of salvation was intended just for Jews. It’s hard to break out of a mindset that’s been drilled into you from the time you were a child. Yet for all his faults, and they were plentiful and very public, Peter was also morally resilient. He was able to open his heart to the truth that the Spirit moves in ways beyond our understanding and control. Knowing that the concepts we give our children about God and God’s ways are likely to hold sway in their hearts over the course of their lifetimes, it pays to make sure we’re conveying an honest and true image of God. Even though we and our children have been privileged to be raised in the Catholic faith, God’s ways are various and mysterious and we must let God be God—as if we had a choice in the matter!

Authors Tom McGrath

Saint Peter

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Quotes

17 Dec 2023 - Third Sunday of Advent, Cycle B

Every great movement needs an agitator. Every leader of spiritual ideals needs a John the Baptist. —William Allen White, 19th-century newspaper editor If you don’t get out there and define yourself, you’ll be quickly and inaccurately defined by others. —Michelle Obama, Becoming John is the voice that lasts for a time; from the beginning Christ is the Word who lives for ever. —Saint Augustine The true secret of love consists in this: we must forget self like Saint John the Baptist and exalt and glorify the Lord Jesus. —Saint Peter Julian Eymard

saint augustine Saint Peter Julian Eymard michelle obama

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Quotes

24 Dec 2023 - Fourth Sunday of Advent, Cycle B

A God who became so small could only be mercy and love. —Saint Thérèse of Lisieux Mary conceived Christ in her womb, and we bear him in our hearts. —Saint Peter Damian It is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas, when its mighty founder was a child himself. —Charles Dickens

Saint Thérèse of Lisieux Saint Peter Damian charles dickens

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