19th Sunday OT A: High Priest, Lord and Savior

Matthew has rewritten Mark’s account of Jesus walking on the waters into a narrative about a rescue at sea. Here, Peter represents the disciples, eager for the Lord but still lacking in faith. The reassuring words of Jesus "Have courage, I AM" is expressed in the action of extending his hand and grasping him who is about to be engulfed by the chaos of history. The Church of the fourth watch — our Church in this period of history — is invited to cry out "Lord save me!" whenever it feels overwhelmed in the struggles it undergoes.

Links to Res Biblica

Rescued at Sea
Meeting Jesus Amidst Life’s Stormy Seas
Encountering Jesus in the midst of Life’s Upheavals: John Chrysostom on Matthew 14:22-33

Question Guides for Reading

Use the following questions to help you with the text of the narrative.

1. When did the events narrated in Matthew 14:22-33 occur?
2. How was Jesus separated from the disciples? What time did he get separated from them?
3. What was happening to the disciples while they were at sea? What was Jesus doing while the disciples were at sea?
4. How did Jesus get to the boat?
5. What was the reaction of the disciples upon seeing Jesus? What was the reaction of Peter? (Note: The Simon’s name-change occurs in Matthew 16; why is he "Peter" here?)
6. What did Peter request from Jesus? Did Jesus allow him the request?
7. What happened to Peter? What did Jesus tell him?
8. What is the final reaction of the disciples?

Comparing the Gospel with the First Reading

I must admit that here is a case where the first reading does not completely jive with the gospel reading. The fact is that the choice of the gospel reading in this case has determined the choice of the Old Testament reading. If there is anything in the liturgy that points to the relationship between these two readings, it is the responsorial psalm (Psalm 85:9. 10. 11-12. 13-14): "Let us see your kindness and grant us your salvation."

The first reading is taken from the Elijah-cycle of 1 Kings (1 Kings 19:9.11-13). The selection is about Elijah running for his life and seeking refuge in a cave where he has an encounter with God. In this instance, God shows himself in a gentle breeze, not in an earthquake, fire or strong wind. The gentle breeze is in contrast with the terrible events that will be unleashed by God through Elijah in the subsequent development of the story. The liturgical selection however points to the theophanic character of Jesus walking on the waves and his bringing peace to his troubled disciples. As Elijah the man of God receives peace from his Lord, so too, the disciples in the boat threatened by the waves and the winds receive the calming presence of their Lord. There is an added sidelight here, too: as Elijah whose life is threatened is rescued by Yahweh (he will be snatched by a heavenly chariot later), so too Peter is rescued by Jesus.

Suggestions for the Lesson Plan

Matthew’s story is Christological, that is, it is about the identity of Jesus. The catechism should inspire confidence in the Lord at a time when he seems to be absent. The narrative supplies us with three sets of images about Jesus: as the High Priest, our Intercessor before the Father, as Lord of the waves of History, and as Savior.

1. Set A, Jesus the High Priest. The first set of images consist of the disciples rowing against the wind, on the one hand and Jesus praying on the mountain on the other. St. Augustine uses this image to point to the role of Jesus as the High Priest iinterceding for a Church¹ that is in difficulty.
2. Set B, Jesus, the Lord. This second set is composed of an image which shows Jesus majestically walking over the waters. If Jesus is Lord of the Sea, those whom he loves won’t perish under the waves even if they do flounder for a while.
3. Set C, Jesus the Savior. This third image shows Jesus holding out his hands to catch Peter whose lack of faith has made him sink into the sea. Jesus extends his hands, grasping Peter.

One can also select passages about Jesus as High Priest, Lord and Savior from other parts of the New Testament that can help one’s students fix those three images in their minds.