Opening Prayer
Lord, I praise the Shepherd who rebuilt the broken road between heaven and earth by becoming the Bridge upon which I now walk. You joined the earth of our humanity to the height of Your divinity, making acceptable the sacrifice that delivers us from the stench of sin. I recognize The Shepherd’s Burden in the weight of that lost road, which was once impassable due to human rebellion but is now reconstructed through Your infinite mercy.
I ask for the strength to walk upon this Bridge without shifting from the hope of the Gospel or the stability of faith. Grant me the grace to traverse this path with a virtuous mind, ensuring that my steps are guided by Your truth rather than the fantasies of my own ego. Let my journey across this Bridge today be marked by a hunger for Your presence and a total submission of my path to Your divine will.
Amen.
Matthew 14:22-36
22And forthwith Jesus obliged his disciples to go up into the boat, and to go before him over the water, till he dismissed the people. 23And having dismissed the multitude, he went into a mountain alone to pray. And when it was evening, he was there alone. 24But the boat in the midst of the sea was tossed with the waves: for the wind was contrary. 25And in the fourth watch of the night, he came to them walking upon the sea. 26And they seeing him walk upon the sea, were troubled, saying: It is an apparition. And they cried out for fear. 27And immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying: Be of good heart: it is I, fear ye not. 28And Peter making answer, said: Lord, if it be thou, bid me come to thee upon the waters. 29And he said: Come. And Peter going down out of the boat, walked upon the water to come to Jesus. 30But seeing the wind strong, he was afraid: and when he began to sink, he cried out, saying: Lord, save me. 31And immediately Jesus stretching forth his hand took hold of him, and said to him: O thou of little faith, why didst thou doubt? 32And when they were come up into the boat, the wind ceased. 33And they that were in the boat came and adored him, saying: Indeed thou art the Son of God. 34And having passed the water, they came into the country of Genesar. 35And when the men of that place had knowledge of him, they sent into all that country, and brought to him all that were diseased. 36And they besought him that they might touch but the hem of his garment. And as many as touched, were made whole.
St. Catherine of Siena
St. Catherine of Siena evaluates priests as “earthly angels” and “my christs”. She distinguished their rank from the purity and charity God demands. The Gospel narrative of Jesus on the water shows Him “reaching out his hand” to save the sinking Peter—the first Pope. This is the narrative of unworthy ministers being upheld by almighty power. St. Catherine reminds us that they bring us “great treasures” even in “ragged clothes” . The “spiritual paper cut” of clerical scandal is healed by “washing their filth with our tears” of prayer. We must support our servant leaders so they don’t become forgetful of themselves.
The Incarnation, Christ being the primary shepherd, serves as the divine “Bridge” required to repair the “broken road” of our fallen nature, which once separated humanity from the Father. This Bridge, constructed by joining human nature to the “towering height” of the Deity, allows us to walk securely across the river of sin toward our true happiness. We must not merely admire this Bridge from afar but actively walk upon it to reach eternal life.
“I long to see you the sort of true gentle shepherd who takes an example from the shepherd Christ, whose place you hold. He laid down his life for his little sheep in spite of our ingratitude.”
— St. Catherine of Siena
Mary and the Magisterium
To span the river of sin, Mary’s earthly humanity was joined to the “towering height” of the Deity. This union allowed Christ to rebuild the road to life, carrying the burden of the flock back to the Father.
- Do I "view my Christian brothers and sisters"—especially priests—with the "charity and respect" they deserve?
- How can I become a "fragrant flower in the mystical body" through my support of the Church’s hierarchy?
Closing Prayer
O Jesus, eternal Priest, keep Your priests within the shelter of Your Sacred Heart.
Amen.
