Faithful Conversations #26

Introduction to Readers:
“I fear for our country right now — there is so much division!” A friend of mine offered this somewhat jarring statement in the course of a conversation this week. His words are on my mind as I experience Sunday’s readings, especially that grinding fear that often pervades our lives. Clearly, my friend simply has reached the point of fatigue with the drumbeat of the daily news (and obsessive focus on the things that divide us), and his anxiety level has risen off the charts. I’m sure many of us have experienced something similar in recent years. In fact, I have talked to many people who simply withdraw from the news, feeling exhausted by all of it. For over 40 years, I have walked young people into the world of history and current events, and there is no question that our current media environment can seem overwhelming. My admonition to them is that we have an obligation to be informed and reflectively engaged in our world, but need to be smart about HOW we are accessing the chaotic information environment — it’s a heavy lift for all of us! That said, I have included a link below that offers a great reflection on how to deal with “the news” from a Christian perspective — you may enjoy it!

One another note by way of introduction .  .  .  .   Beyond today’s blog posting, “Faithful Conversations” will take a pause and return on Wednesday, August 30th. My wife MaryBeth and I are enroute to Alaska later this week as part of a mission trip. We appreciate your prayers! As you will note, I did include the Lectionary Readings for Pentecost 12 and 13 and encourage you to keep going with the process. I also included a link to the Lectionary Blog that is part of the “Living Lutheran” Magazine (digital), that you may want to access for a change of pace!  As always, thanks for your continued interest in the Lectionary!      

Readings for Pentecost 11: 13 August 2023

1 Kings 19:9-18
Psalm 85:8-13
Romans 10:5-15
Matthew 14:22-33

Gospel Reading: Matthew 14:22-33: Jesus Walks on the Water

²² Immediately he made the disciples get into a boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. ²³ And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, ²⁴ but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. ²⁵ And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. ²⁶ But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. ²⁷ But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.” ²⁸ Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” ²⁹ He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. ³⁰ But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” ³¹ Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” ³² When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. ³³ And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

This Week’s Reflection: “Walking in Two Worlds” 

I have a vivid childhood memory of visiting a country church somewhere (although not Battle Lake) that featured the scene from this week’s Gospel on the front altar. It powerfully captured my childlike imagination, and, as they say, spoke “a thousand words.” The story of Christ walking on the water in the midst of a violent storm is found in two other Gospels (Mark 6 and John 6), but Peter’s attempt to do likewise is only chronicled in Matthew.

Remember the context. After the feeding of the five thousand (last week’s Gospel), Jesus goes into the mountains to pray (recall he wanted to do that earlier), sending the disciples across the Sea of Galilea in a boat. By nightfall, they are navigating a terrible storm, and at dawn’s light, with winds yet howling, see a figure walking toward them on the water. Not surprisingly, the disciples believe they are seeing a ghost. Jesus, however, identifies himself and utters that stirring line in verse 27, “Take heart, It is I; do not be afraid” (sidebar: according the Biblical scholars, the most commonly repeated phrase in the Bible is some version of “do not be afraid,” “fear not,” or “have no fear”). It’s at that point in the story that the ever impetuous Peter, wants proof of Jesus’ identity (verse 28). He challenges Jesus to enable him to walk on the water as well, and we know how that ended. Ultimately, Christ saves Peter, admonishes him for his doubt, and joins the disciples in the boat, at which point the storm ceases. Astonished by what they have witnessed, the disciples acknowledge Jesus as “Son of God” (verse 33), the first time that phrase is used by his followers. 

What are we to make of this head-spinning story? Let me offer two observations to consider. First, as Christians, we spend our days walking within two worlds simultaneously — our earthly life and God’s Kingdom (perhaps you have heard the statement, we “are in the world, but not of the world”). Fear is a palpable reality in our earthly lives, a truly human emotion — fear of dangerous situations, fear of health crises, fear of the unknown, fear of change, fear of failure, fear of success, fear of others who are not like us, fear of losing people who are close to us, fear of our own death, and fear of the future, just to name a few! Fear can so easily become a predicament, a trap. Like Peter, we want to step out of the boat and move with confidence through the perils of life, relying on God for strength. But, alas, our courage fails, we become distracted, and the choppy waters envelope us. In despair, we cry out, “Lord Save Me!”

Second, though we may falter in our “oh-so human” attempt to walk toward Jesus, he never stops moving in our direction, walking toward us in steadfast love. He continually reminds us of our place in his Kingdom, that we are already there. This powerful promise, sealed by our baptism, strengthens us to face our fears, not recklessly and without care, but with courage derived from our creator: “Take heart, it is I. Do not be afraid.” Let’s spread that message to those who need to hear it!          

Soli Deo Gloria

Prayer (inspired by Romans 10: 5-15)
Lord God, You assure us that if we call on your name and follow you, we will receive salvation, that your love is for all people, regardless of differences. Strengthen us to be fearless witnesses for you in our communities, enabling more people to hear of your great love for them. Amen. 

Postscript: Here’s the link I mentioned in the introduction today:  
Peggy Haslar: Books Before Newsbites: Curating the News with C.S. Lewis and Dorothy Day (“Sparrowfare” Blog) 

And . . . here are the readings for Pentecost 12 and 13:  

Readings for Pentecost 12: 20 August 2023

Isaiah 56: 1, 6-8
Psalm 67
Romans 11: 1-2a, 29-32
Matthew 15: (10-20) 21-28

Readings for Pentecost 13: 27 August 2023

Isaiah 51: 1-6
Psalm 138
Romans 12: 1-8
Matthew 16: 13-20

And, here is the link to the ELCA Lectionary Blog!

The most recent blog is located in the upper left, just below the big “Living Lutheran” sign.