August 5 - Tuesday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time, Year I C

(Nm.12:1-13;   Ps.51:3-7,12-13;   Mt.14:22-36)

“The presence of the Lord he beholds.”

Throughout the history of salvation, the Lord chooses one man to lead His people.  In the Old Testament times, this was Moses; in the New Testament times, it is Peter.  Though it is always the Lord Himself who guides and teaches, He ever puts His Spirit upon one particular man to act in His stead.  Those who do not follow the Lord and the way He sets forth, who act in presumption against His will and His chosen, are cast from His presence, are stricken by His hand as is Miriam.

“Throughout my house he bears my trust,” the Lord says of Moses His servant, “the meekest man on the face of the earth.”  “Face to face I speak to him,” the Lord assures us; and is it not so with Peter as well?  It is Peter alone who steps forward to walk upon the storm-tossed sea to the Lord; it is Peter that Jesus will instruct to “feed [His] sheep.”  He is given the keys to the kingdom.  He is the peg set firmly in place.  And is it not dissension against the place given this first of the apostles that causes so much disturbance in the Church?  Is it not the presumption of Aaron and Miriam, gifted in themselves but not as Moses, which remains with us today and creates the division which ails the people of God?  We should cry out for mercy from the Lord for our sins against Him, for it is against Him we sin when we do not follow His appointed ones.  We should beg with David, “Cast me not out from your presence, and your Holy Spirit take not from me.” 

I beg you to notice, my brothers and sisters, especially those separated from the Church and its hierarchy, to whom Aaron, the first of priests, makes his plea for forgiveness and healing.  Hear his words: “Ah my lord!” he said to Moses, “please do not charge us with the sin that we have foolishly committed!”  And Moses intercedes with the Lord, and Miriam finds healing.  And yet do you deny that God gives man authority on earth to intercede with Him for the forgiveness of sins?  And yet do you doubt that the Lord places His Spirit on a man and calls him to serve as Moses?  All may be priests but not all are chosen to lead; the Lord’s is a church of order and not presumption.  One there is who beholds His presence, and through Him we know the Lord.

May the Lord catch us and lead us into His boat, for we do falter in our faith and find great difficulty fighting the winds which beset the barque of Peter…  O Lord, be with us!  Hold not our sins against us!  “A steadfast spirit renew within me,” may we all cry, and so find forgiveness for our offenses against you, Lord, and against your holy ones.  May we all enter your presence and serve you.

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O LORD, only as a child will we enter Heaven,

for only as a child can we stand in your presence.

 

     YHWH, make us humble and innocent as little children that you might lead us by your mighty hand into the land you promise all your lowly ones.  How shall we behold your face if we are not obedient to you, if we do not seek your glory by humbly doing your will?  Bless your people with your presence.

    Send us leaders, LORD, to guide us to your kingdom, to shepherd us to your holy mountain.  Your power be upon those you send to stand in the place of your only Son, that all might find salvation.  Help us to have faith in you, to know that as you have been with us until this day, so forever you will remain, destroying our enemies before us, setting us free from all sin.

    Let none of your children be lost, dear LORD, but come quickly to their heritage in you.  O let us be brave and steadfast! remembering ever it is you who go before us.