Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28; Romans 10:5-15; Matthew 14:22-33 Ordinary 10A; Proper 14 Let’s start at the end of this Gospel story. Let’s go to the culmination of all this coming and going, leaving and returning, storms, prayer, water-walking and cries for help. Let’s remember that the point of the story is the disciples’ newfound understanding of who Jesus is and their confession of faith. We should recap that immediately before this account of the storm and Jesus’ walking on water and Peter’s brief venture out of the boat came the feeding of the 5,000 and before that the murder of John the Baptist. The disciples, and Jesus, must be worn out, wrung out, exhausted. Is it any wonder that Jesus goes up the mountain to pray and be alone? Can we blame the disciples for thinking they are seeing a ghost? And yet, in the end, comes this incredible declaration: Truly you are the Son of God. In the end, after grief and service, fear and confusion, storms and disorientation, comes … [Read more...]

Genesis 32:22-31; Romans 9:1-5; Matthew 14:13-21 Ordinary 18A; Proper 13 Jacob was left alone. Jesus withdrew to a desolate, deserted place. In the first instance, after Jacob sends his family and all he owns ahead of him and as he fears for his encounter with the brother he cheated, a sleepless night of wrestling with the divine ensues. In the second, the needy crowd pursues Jesus and, having compassion on them, he returns to the fray of their relentless demands. In both cases, neither Jacob nor Jesus find the rest sought. What is it about being alone at night that brings forth those things we cannot let go, those fears that will not leave us, the wrestling with anxiety about the past and the future? Why is it that when we feel most depleted, most in need of a respite, people seek us out and require even more of us? These two stories – Jacob wrestling and Jesus feeding the 5,000 – are often heard in a cursory way if we are familiar with them. Yes, we know that Jacob will … [Read more...]