Lectio Divina

Don Bosco Academy, Bacolor

June 9, 2017

SONG TO THE HOLY SPIRIT

“God of silence”

1. LECTIO. What does the Biblical text say?

Matthew 14:25-32

25
Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him
walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.
27
But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Do not be afraid.”
28
“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
29
“Come,” he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he
saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
31
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did
you doubt?”
32
And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat
worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

2. MEDITATIO. What does the Lord say in His Word?

Some insights on the Scripture passage:

This second story of the disciples at sea (see 8:23-27) is not so much a miracle as it is a story of
faith. It is replete with Matthean motifs, including for the first time Peter's emerging role as a
representative of the disciples and thereby of the believing community. The disciples are at risk on
the sea without their master who is alone in prayer. Near morning, Jesus comes to them walking on
the water, but in their fear they fail to recognize him. Jesus' command for them to stop being afraid
contains within it the revelatory "I Am." Peter responds with words of faith, "Lord, if it is you,
command me to come to you on the water." At Jesus' command to come, Peter indeed does walk on
the water, but when he takes his eyes off Jesus, he begins to sink and cries out to the Lord for
rescue. Jesus reaches out, takes him by hand, and catches him up, and then chastises him for his
"little faith."

Twice Peter has addressed Jesus with words of faith, calling him "Lord." Trusting in Jesus' command
to "Come!" he has walked on the water. When in peril he cries out to Jesus as "Savior," and even in
the midst of his doubting he is rescued. Though Jesus chides Peter for his "little faith" (a word that is
essentially unique to Matthew's gospel narrative), still, at the Lord's touch, the wind ceases and the
boat with the disciples is safe. All those in the boat respond in the only way appropriate for
disciples: they worship Jesus as "Truly…the Son of God."

Questions for reflection and sharing:

1. Had there been times that I have taken my eyes off Jesus? What had been results in my life?
2. Do I have concerns and anxieties that turn my gaze away from Jesus and so begin to “sink” like
Peter? (What are these? You may give examples of such concerns and anxieties and how they
affect your life at this moment)
3. When were the times I felt Jesus reaching out his hand to me when I seemed to be “sinking”?
How did he reach out?

3. ORATIO. What do we say to the Lord, motivated by His Word? (Personal prayer in
response to God’s message to us)

After the sharing, we spend about 5 minutes in silence lifting our words to God.
After our moment of silence, we shall altogether say the OUR FATHER.

4. CONTEMPLATIO. What conversion is asked for by the contemplation of the Lord?

We may stumble and fall, but the Lord is always by our side to extend a hand. Find confidence in his
words, “Take courage, it is I. Do not be afraid.”

When we keep our gaze on Jesus, not losing sight of Him, even the greatest storms in our lives won’t
hinder us in fulfilling our mission and in reaching our goals. And amidst of them all, we will find peace.

Let us ask the Lord therefore, to remove our doubts and strengthen our faith as we start the new
school year.

Now, we simply rest in His presence. Let his words linger, ever now as we feel him in his wordless, quiet
presence. Let us simply enjoy the experience of being in the presence of God in the Blessed Sacrament.

***Adoration & Benediction follows***

DBA Bacolor Pastoral Team 2017