Readings:
1 Kings 19:9,11-13; Romans 9:1-5; Matthew 14:22-33
“Truly, you are the Son
of God.”
1. Today’s
readings demonstrate the faith of two men: Elijah in the first reading and
Peter in the Gospel. In the First Book of Kings, Elijah struggled to turn
Israel away from the precipice of collapse and decadence and back to the
worship of the true God. Zeal for God and righteous indignation led Elijah to put
to death the 450 prophets of Baal. Jezebel, King Ahab’s wife and a passionate
promoter of paganism and the worship of the Canaanite god Baal, was furious
with Elijah and threatened to kill him. Elijah fled for his life, even begging
God to take his life. God did not grant that plea; instead, he miraculously fed
Elijah. Strengthened by nourishment from above, Elijah journeyed to the
mountain of God at Horeb, where God revealed himself not in thunder, lightning,
or earthquake, but in a gentle breeze. God is as effective and powerful in the
gentle wind as he is in dramatic and earth-shaking signs. Elijah’s faith was
tested, and he almost gave up, but God changed his fortune and renewed his faith
as Elijah turned his gaze from himself to God and allowed God to direct his
life. It is amazing what we hear when we pay attention to God’s word.
Meditation and contemplation are forms of prayer that help us listen to God in
a very special way.
2.
Last
Sunday we read about the miracle of the multiplication of loaves and two fish
and the feeding of five thousand men, not counting women and children. Today,
after the banquet, Christ sent his disciples to the other side of the lake
while he dismissed the crowds. He then went up the mountain to pray. Nothing
would prevent him from keeping the appointment with God. If he couldn’t pray
during the day, he could do it at night. Prayer gave him strength to do his father’s
will and carry out his mission. When we listen to God in prayer, we come to know
his will. We should not complain that we cannot find time to pray; we should
not be too busy to pray. To be effective and productive in his mission, Christ
needed to spend time with God. Prayer is the key to a successful life, to a
productive ministry, and to a committed Christian life.
3.
While
praying, Christ sensed that his disciples were in trouble at sea, struggling as
their boat was buffeted by strong wind and waves. “It is I; do not be
afraid”, he assured them. Peter retorted, “If it is you, bid me
come to you on the water.” Christ invited him, and he stepped on the
water, with his eyes fixed on Christ. As soon as he took his eyes off Jesus, he
began to go down into the water. Then he cried out for help, “Lord, save
me!”
4.
The raging waves of the sea can be
compared to the storms of our lives. At times our lives are ravaged by
turbulent waves of atrocities and adversities. No matter how much we fix our
gaze on Jesus, he does not seem to notice. Our faith has been tested over and
over again like Peter’s and Elijah’s. How do we handle the stormy weather of
broken relationships and shattered dreams? Unfortunately, some of our storms
are self-inflicted. We find it difficult to free ourselves from the shackles of
misguided dreams and misplaced priorities. We are drowned by worldly desires each
time we try to get out. How do we deal with the waves of problems that defile
all logic in our families? Our Church is not spared the turbulent waves of sin,
deceit, cover-up, and unaccountability. We face innumerable problems and
unanswerable questions. At times like this, we cry like Peter, “Lord,
save us; we are drowning.” Christ will hear and say, men and
women of little faith, why did you doubt? It is I; do not be afraid.
5.
From these readings we learn that no
matter the condition of our faith, Christ will meet us at the hour of our
needs. He will come to us, as he went to the disciples, in the rough and
turbulent sea. He knows us, and he is willing to assist us. No matter what our
waves, be it bad marriage, struggle with temptation, dealing with depression,
or grieving the loss of a loved one, we are not alone. Jesus tells us, “In
the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.”
(Jn. 16:33). Just like the wind died down and there was calm when Jesus entered
the boat, if we invite Jesus into our boats, he will calm our storm and grant
us peace. Let us worship and acknowledge that, “Truly, you are the Son of
God.”
Rev.
Augustine Etemma Inwang, MSP
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