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| "Jesus Walks on the Sea" (left) & "Saint Peter Walks on the Sea" (right) -- by James Tissot |
FIRST
READING: Jeremiah
28: 1 - 17
1
Early in the reign of Zedekiah, king of Judah, in the fifth month of
the fourth year, the prophet Hananiah spoke to me. Hananiah son of
Azzur from Gibeon proclaimed in Yahweh's House in the presence of the
priests and the people,
2
"This is what Yahweh the God of hosts and the God of Israel
says: I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon.
3
Within two years I will bring back to this place all the objects that
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon took away from Yahweh's House and
carried to Babylon.
4
I will likewise bring back Jekoniah son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah,
and all who were taken from Judah and deported to Babylon. For I will
break the yoke of the king of Babylon - word of Yahweh."
5
Then Jeremiah replied to Hananiah in the presence of the priests and
all the people,
6
"So be it! May Yahweh fulfill the words you have spoken and
bring back from Babylon to this place the objects taken from the
House of Yahweh and all the exiles.
7
Yet hear now what I say in your hearing and the hearing of all the
people.
8
The prophets who came before you and me continually prophesied war,
disaster and plague to many nations and great kingdoms.
9
So the prophet who prophesies peace will not be recognized as truly
sent by Yahweh, until his predictions are fulfilled."
10
Then Hananiah took the yoke from the neck of Jeremiah and broke it.
11
Hananiah proclaimed in the presence of all the people, "Yahweh
says this: In the same manner within two years will I break the yoke
of Nebuchadnezzar from the neck of all the nations." Then
Jeremiah the prophet went on his way.
12
Some time later, a word of Yahweh came to Jeremiah,
13
"Go and tell this to Hananiah: This is what Yahweh says: You
have broken a wooden yoke but in its place you will get a yoke of
iron.
14
For this is what Yahweh the God of hosts and the God of Israel says:
I am placing a yoke of iron on the neck of all the nations to make
them serve Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and they will serve him. I
will even give him control over the wild animals."
15
Then Jeremiah said to Hananiah, "Listen! Hananiah, you have not
been sent by Yahweh and yet you have deceived these people, giving
them false hope with your lies.
16
That is why Yahweh says with regard to you: I am removing you from
the face of the earth. You will die this very year because you have
counseled rebellion against Yahweh."
17
And in the seventh month of that year Hananiah died.
PSALM:
Psalms 119:
29, 43, 79 - 80, 95, 102
29
Keep me away from deceitful paths; be gracious and teach me your law.
43
Take not the word of truth from my mouth, for I would also lose my
hope in your word.
79
Let those who fear you turn to me, they will understand your
statutes.
80
May my heart be blameless in your decrees, that I may not be ashamed.
95
The wicked lie in wait to destroy me, but I look to your word for
salvation.
102
I have not departed from your decrees for you yourself have
instructed me.
GOSPEL:
Matthew 14:
22 - 36
22
Immediately Jesus obliged his disciples to get into the boat and go
ahead of him to the other side, while he sent the crowd away.
23
And having sent the people away, he went up the mountain by himself
to pray. At nightfall, he was there alone.
24
Meanwhile, the boat was very far from land, dangerously rocked by the
waves for the wind was against it.
25
At daybreak, Jesus came to them walking on the lake.
26
When they saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, thinking
that it was a ghost. And they cried out in fear.
27
But at once Jesus said to them, "Courage! Don't be afraid. It's
me!"
28
Peter answered, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you
walking on the water."
29
Jesus said to him, "Come." And Peter got out of the boat,
walking on the water to go to Jesus.
30
But, in face of the strong wind, he was afraid and began to sink. So
he cried out, "Lord, save me!"
31
Jesus immediately stretched out his hand and took hold of him,
saying, "Man of little faith, why did you doubt?"
32
As they got into the boat, the wind dropped.
33
Then those in the boat bowed down before Jesus saying, "Truly,
you are the Son of God!"
34
They came ashore at Gennesareth.
35
The local people recognized Jesus and spread the news throughout the
region. So they brought all the sick to him,
36
begging him to let them touch just the fringe of his cloak. All who
touched it became perfectly well.
