CHILDREN’S STORY:
Jesus was very sad after learning of John the Baptist’s death. He wanted to be alone for a little while, so he boarded a boat and went to a deserted place.
A crowd of 5,000 men — not counting the women and children — followed Jesus on land as he traveled by sea. Jesus saw them, so he came ashore and healed the sick.
When evening came, it was time for everyone to eat. The apostles worried about feeding the huge crowd because they only had five loaves of bread and two fish. Jesus blessed the food and gave it to his friends to distribute. Miraculously, there was enough for everyone to eat their fill, and there were even 12 baskets of leftovers.
Afterward, Jesus told the apostles to get into the boat and head across the sea while he went up the mountain to be alone and pray.
As Jesus was praying, a storm started brewing. The apostles’ boat was a few miles offshore when the storm hit.
The boat was tossed about by the strong wind and the churning water of the sea. The apostles tried very hard to continue across the sea, but they were traveling against the wind.
In the very early hours of the morning, Jesus came down the mountain to the shore. He wanted to join his friends, so he went out into the water. Instead of sinking into the sea, he walked on top of the water toward the boat.
The apostles cried out in terror when they saw a figure walking on the water toward them.
“Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid,” Jesus said.
Peter wanted to make sure it was really Jesus.
“Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water,” he said.
Jesus told Peter to come to him. Peter got out of the boat and began walking on the water. But when he became frightened, he started to sink.
“Lord, save me!” Peter yelled.
Jesus reached out and grabbed him.
“O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” Jesus asked.
When Jesus and Peter got into the boat, the wind died down.
The apostles were amazed.
“Truly, you are the Son of God,” they said.
READ MORE ABOUT IT:
Matthew 14
Q&A
- What happened when the apostles started to cross the sea?
- How did Jesus reach the apostles in the boat?
ESSAY: How do you show Jesus that you trust in him?
BIBLE ACCENT:
Peter was a very special and important person to Jesus.
Jesus chose Peter to be his first apostle and said Peter would be the rock upon which he would build his church.
Even though Peter was special and important, he was not perfect. He sometimes had doubts and fears that made him do sinful things.
When Peter and Jesus first met, Peter had been fishing all night but hadn’t caught anything. Jesus told him to cast his net where he had already fished and to prepare for a successful catch. Peter doubted Jesus but listened. He caught so many fish that the net began to tear.
When Jesus walked on the water during a storm and called Peter to him, it was Peter’s doubt and fear that caused him to sink.
And just before Jesus was arrested, Peter promised he would never deny knowing Jesus. But after Jesus’ arrest, Peter became afraid. When people asked him whether he was one of Jesus’ followers, Peter lied and said he didn’t know Jesus.
Even though Peter was imperfect, Jesus never gave up on him. Peter’s example shows us that although we aren’t perfect, Jesus never gives up on us and always wants us to have faith and follow him.
SPOTLIGHT ON THE SAINTS:
St. Joseph Calasanz
Joseph Calasanz was born in Spain in 1556. His father wanted him to be a soldier, but Joseph instead studied law and was ordained a priest in 1583.
He became vicar general of a Spanish diocese. In 1592, he went to Rome, where he joined the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine and worked with neglected children.
In 1597, he and three other priests established the first free school in Rome. This work led him to found the Clerks Regular of the Religious (or Pious) Schools. He served as superior general of the order.
Joseph died in 1648, and we honor him on Aug. 25.
PUZZLE:
Using the Scripture hints provided, circle the miracles that were performed by Jesus.
Raises Lazarus from the dead (John 11:43-44)
Turns water into wine (John 2:8-9)
Heals a woman with a withered hand (Luke 8:43-44)
Heals Peter’s mother-in-law (Luke 4:38-39)
Heals a paralyzed woman (Mark 2:3-5)
Heals three women born blind (John 9:1-7)
Heals the centurion’s servant (Luke 7:2-10)
Heals 10 lepers (Luke 17:11-14)
Answers: Raises Lazarus from the dead; Turns water into wine; Heals Peter’s mother-in-law; Heals the centurion’s servant; Heals 10 lepers