Jesus Christ: Our Lord and God

Reflection on Today's Readings, Tuesday of 18th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1, August 3rd, 2021
Texts: Num. 12:1-13; Ps. 51:3-7.12-13;  Mtt. 14:22-36
In today's gospel reading, Jesus Christ walks on the sea to show that He has power over the world. The sea represent the world where there are every kind of living creature and non-living creature. His walking on the sea is a demonstration that everything in the world is subject to Him. This act reveals His glory as God just as the changing of water to wine did.
Being God He deserves our worship and absolute trust. Hence, He says, _“Take heart, it is I; have no fear.”_  In those words, He invites us to have absolute trust in Him. The word, _"it is I"_ assures us of His never-failing power, His faithfulness and willingness to save us. In other words, it is like saying, I am the one, your Saviour; I am the one, your protector. The word, _"have no fear "_ invites us to calm down, to trust in Him, to relax in Him. In other words, it is like saying, I am here for you again to save you.
The reading also shows us that it is by faith in Jesus Christ we gain the power over the world. It is demonstrated in Peter's walking on the sea at the command of Jesus Christ. It is said, _"And Peter answered him, 'Lord, if it is you, bid me come to you on the water.'  He said, 'Come.' So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus"_ It is by faith that our vision of Jesus Christ is cleared and we are able to focus on Him. In faith, our vision of Him as the Lord and Saviour, almighty and faithful God, is secured. Peter began to sink when he began to lose faith.
We are invited today to look up to Jesus as our Lord and God, our Saviour. It is when our vision of Him as Lord and God is clear that we can reign with Him here and now and in the world to come.
Today's first reading teaches a lesson: we should not undermine the power of God in His servants. Miriam left the real issue and started to undermine God’s choice of Moses. The issue was about Moses' marriage with a cushite woman but she said, _“Has the Lord indeed spoken only through Moses? Has he not spoken through us also?”_ Moses had a special vocation among the people of God and for that reason had a special grace from God. Hence, God said _“Hear my words: If there is a prophet among you, I the Lord make myself known to him in a vision, I speak with him in a dream. Not so with my servant Moses; he is entrusted with all my house. With him I speak mouth to mouth, clearly, and not in dark speech; and he beholds the form of the Lord. Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?”_  The servant of God enjoys the holiness of God in his ministry but he will be judged by his own holiness. When we undermine God’s power in His servants, we undermine the holiness of God; for God works in His servants by His own holiness and choice. Servants of God can be corrected but never undermine the power of God in Him.

Lord Jesus, we bless You, for You are our Lord and God; help us not to lose our faith in You. Amen.

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke