archives

Following the feeding of the multitudes, Mark recounts an episode where Jesus walks on the waters to meet the disciples harassed by contrary winds in the middle of the lake. When Jesus joins them in the boat, the winds die down. Mark connects the amazement of the disciples at this event to their ignorance of the significance of the feeding of the multitudes. For Mark, the feeding of the multitudes is the eschatological feeding with manna and Jesus' walking on the waters points to his identity as the Lord, the "I Am" (cf. Mark 6:50).

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The feeding of the multitudes was just the first part of diptich. Mark who wrote the original account followed it up with the revelation of Jesus as the "I AM" when he walked on the sea. In rewriting this episode, Matthew laid stress on the meaning of the account for his own community. He inserts an episode involving Peter so that his community of faith may see themselves in him and learn how to say "Lord save me!" Read the following articles to help you understand Matthew 14:22-33.

• Lord Save Me
• John Chrysostom on Matthew 14:22-33
• Suggestions for a BEC Lesson Plan

Use the following materials to help you meditate on the theme of the 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)