The Third Humorous Mystery
The Third Humorous Mystery is the Storm at Sea.
Then he made the disciples get into the boat and precede him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When it was evening he was there alone. (Matthew 14:22-23)Remember what Chesterton said about Jesus going up on a mountain to pray. Clearly it was in a moment of mirth on the mountain that Our Lord decided to go check up on his disciples. A little practical joke would show that there were no hard feelings about their lack of faith in the whole multiplication of the loaves business that afternoon. "You think that was a big deal? Look! Watch me walk on water!" He could just imagine their faces.
Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore, was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it. During the fourth watch of the night, he came towards them, walking on the sea. When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified. "It is a ghost," they said, and they cried out in fear. At once Jesus spoke to them, "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid." Peter said to him in reply, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." (14:27-28)
Jesus knew he could count on Peter to blurt out something he'd immediately regret. And don't think He wasn't going to hold him to it.
He said, "Come." Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water towards Jesus. But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried aloud, "Lord, save me!" (14:29-30)
Omniscience includes knowing when a joke has gone too far, and the Lord is "merciful and gracious... abounding in kindness" (Psalm 103:8).
Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" After they got into the boat, the wind died down. Those who where in the boat did him homage, saying "Truly, you are the Son of God." (14:31-33)
We laugh, of course, but at least Peter got out of the boat when he was called- however much he may have regretted ever speaking up in the first place. Would that we always had the courage to do as much, no matter how strong the wind or high the waves. Ora pro nobis.
(The First and Second Humorous Mysteries)
Photo Credit: Felicity
posted by Seosamh @ 7:50 PM
5 comments
5 Comments:
Very good, Joe, but Felicity's picture is of Matthew 8:23-27....
funny how two of the three mysteries so far refer to Peter's foolishness...or maybe that is part of God's little jokes on our first Holy Father. You should do Peter's offering of a tent for Moses and Elijah at the Transfiguration for one of the other two mysteries. St. Peter is so cute like that.
I don't think it was our Lord playing jokes on Peter... I think Peter comes across as foolish all on his own. :o)
yay for the third humorous mystery!
I would like to suggest Matt 17:24-27 for the Humorous Mysteries. I can imagine Peter stammering for an answer to Jesus after having told the collectors he would pay. 24 When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the temple tax approached Peter and said, "Doesn't your teacher pay the temple tax?" 25 "Yes," he said. When he came into the house, before he had time to speak, Jesus asked him, "What is your opinion, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth take tolls or census tax? From their subjects or from foreigners?" 26
When he said, "From foreigners," Jesus said to him, "Then the subjects are exempt. 27 But that we may not offend them, go to the sea, drop in a hook, and take the first fish that comes up. Open its mouth and you will find a coin worth twice the temple tax. Give that to them for me and for you."
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