On the Back Porch
Reading, pondering and studying God’s Word is sometimes best done “on the back porch.” Each week we will try to offer something for you and your “back porch time.”
19th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A
What We Celebrate
Jesus has finished teaching the disciples via parables. After dismissing the crowds of people, Jesus also sends his disciples off to “the other side” via boat while he withdraws to prayer. “Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore, was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it.” As their fear arises, the disciples see “a ghost” coming towards them, walking on the seas. What happens next? Peter walks on the water, right? At least for a while before he sinks. Is this about a lack of faith or part of Jesus’ preparation of the disciples for the mission when Jesus will not be in the boat with them – the boat being an ancient representation of the Church. And there’s even more! There is a lot going on in this simple text.
Full Text of the Sunday Readings
Detailed Commentary on the Gospel
Image credit: Jesus and Peter on the water – Gustave Brion, oil, 1880 | Public Domain
The Story of Creation
Folks are familiar with the story of Creation told in the first chapters of Genesis. But there is a larger narrative than “7 days of creation.” It is a story of God’s ideal vision for the cosmos, establishing His divine rule and our role in partnering to bring His purpose. In this series of video we’ll consider how various Biblical authors repeat and amplify that narrative, all leading to the story of Jesus whose mission is to bring all things to God’s good purpose and end. Watch the last video of the series (#4 of 5.)
John 1
John begins his Gospel account by introducing Jesus as the Word of God, echoing the opening chapters of Genesis, where God created life through his spoken word. This beginning was good, but when God’s creatures rejected his instructions, all creation spiraled into death. The world needed a new beginning, so God’s divine word spoke again, but this time, the word became a human named Jesus.
Previous Videos in the Series: