This coming Sunday is the 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time. Matthew is known for his use of “fulfillment” in his gospel. Notable is the fulfillment of the prophecy of the “great prophet like Moses” who was to come as Messiah. There is also another theme that arises in this content. Matthew is the one gospel writer who uses the term ekklesia, the word which means “church.”

There is much about Matthew’s gospel and these chapters that is well suited for the use of church leaders – in instructing their members in the faith and in determining their own pastoral role. It deals with such practical issues as the sabbath (12:1–14) and divorce (5:31–32; 19:3–9). More generally it includes extended discussion of the right ethical use of the Old Testament law (5:17–48) and the misuse of scribal tradition (15:1–20).  Chapter 23 is a fairly stringent condemnation of religious leadership (the scribes and Pharisees) – and so by way of contrast indicating what true religious leadership involves. Chapter 10 deals with the church’s response to persecution, and chapter 18 concentrates almost entirely on relationships within the Christian community, with special attention given to the proper procedure for dealing with an offender (18:15–20).  It evens provides warnings of threats from outside the community – false prophets and pseudo-Messiahs (7:15–20 and 24:4–5, 11, 23–26); while reminding the community of its own internal problems (7:6, 13–27; 13:24–30, 36–43, 47–50; 22:10–14). It is the church that will be sent on mission in Matthew 26.

All true, but why mention it here? Matthew has already used the boat as a symbol for the church in Chapter 8 (the calming of the storm at sea) in which the Apostles are in the boat with Jesus. In this section of Matthew’s gospel, the symbol of “boat as church” is repeated – but this time only the Apostles are in the boat. It is a pre-echo of the time, post-Resurrection, when the Apostles will be without the physical presence of Jesus as their immediate mentor.

Image credit: Jesus and Peter on the water – Gustave Brion, oil, 1880 | Public Domain