Pentecost Sunday

We can look at the Old Testament in one of two ways. The first as a prophesy, there are many examples in sacred scriptures that would point towards or gives signs as to the coming Messiah.

That he would be born of a virgin, a heir to King David’s throne, preceded by Elijah, rejected by his own people, called a Nazarene, be falsely accused, just to name a few of over 350 prophecies.

In fact, Jesus fulfilled so many Old Testament prophecies that the odds of him not being the Son of God are so astronomical, that it shouldn’t even be given a single thought. In fact Buffalo has a better chance of seeing both the Bills and the Sabres win their respective championships in the same year that Jesus has of not being the Son of God. We all know how bad the Sabres have been, and a city winning two championships in the same year has only happened about 17 times in recorded sports history.

The second thing the Old Testament does is provide precursors, or prefigures to the Son of Man. Stories like Abraham and Isaac, Jacobs ladder, the manna from heaven, Jonah and the whale, the bronze serpent raised by Noah.

Biblical scholars call this type of bible study, typology. But there is also a third way of looking at certain Scripture stories, and that is how we should view the story of Noah and the Ark in the light of Pentecost and the close of the Easter Season.

You see on the surface, what saved Noah? The ark right? Was it the type of gopher wood he used? Was it how he followed God’s plan to build the ark and stock the ark to care not only for Noah and his family, but for all the animals aboard? The key aspect in the story of Noah and the ark is missed by many, because we are so focused on Noah’s answer to God’s call and the animals marching two by two up the into the massive boat.

You see, Noah needed the ark, because the world had been made corrupt and evil, and mankind was not ready to deal with that on their own. They needed God, for it was not just having the ark that protected Noah, it was the fact that Then the LORD shut him in.

So you see, Moses could not face the storm without God’s help. And although Noah was blameless among his generation, he needed the direct intervention of God to withstand the storm.

Now if we fast forward to the Gospel of Matthew, God draws another direct connection.

New American Bible: Revised Edition Chapter 14

The Walking on the Water. 22 Then he made the disciples get into the boat and precede him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23 After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When it was evening he was there alone. 24 Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore, was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it. 25 During the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them, walking on the sea. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified. “It is a ghost,” they said, and they cried out in fear. 27 At once [Jesus] spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” 28 Peter said to him in reply, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29 He said, “Come.” Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw how [strong] the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 After they got into the boat, the wind died down. 33 k Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying, “Truly, you are the Son of God.”

New American Bible. (2011). (Revised Edition, Ge 7:16). Washington, DC: The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.