Readings: 1 Kings 19:9,11-13; Romans 9:1-5; Matthew 14:22-33
Take Courage, it is I
1. The readings of today present us with the faith of two men, Elijah, in the first reading and Peter in the Gospel. In the 17th chapter of the first book of Kings, we read about Elijah’s effort to win Israel back from the precipice of collapse and decadence to the worship of the true God. Zeal for God and righteous indignation made Elijah to kill the 450 prophets of Baal who turned people away from God. This did not sit well with Jezebel who was an impassioned promoter of paganism and of the worship of the Canaanite god, Baal. When threatened with a death sentence by Jezebel, Elijah had no choice but run for dear life, begging God to take his life. God did not take his life, but rather fed him miraculously. Strengthened by this nourishment, Elijah came to the mountain of God called Horeb, where God revealed himself to him in a light breeze. God does not always appear to us in thunder, lightning and earthquake, he is as effective and powerful in a gentle wind as he is in a more provocative and dramatic phenomena. Elijah’s faith was tested, and he almost gave up on life, but God showed up and changed his fortune and destiny. He renewed his faith, because he gazed on God rather than on himself. He listened to God and allowed God to direct his life. It is amazing indeed, what we can hear when we pay attention to God’s words. Meditation and contemplation are forms of prayers that enable us to listen to God in a very special way.
2. This brings us to the Gospel reading. Last Sunday we witnessed the miracle of the multiplication of loaves and two fish and the feeding of five thousand men, women and children, not counted. We are told today that after this heavenly banquet, Christ made his disciples get into a boat and precede him to the other side while he dismissed the crowds. After making sure that everyone was taken care of and properly sent home, Christ went up the mountain to seek quiet time with his Father. He came to this scene in the first place to be alone, to rest and to pray. Nothing would prevent him from keeping that appointment with his father. If he couldn’t pray during the day, he could do it at night. This was how Christ charged his battery and be energized to carry out the mission of his father. It is by listening to God that we get to know his will for us. Do we complain that we cannot find time to pray? Are we too busy to pray? Learn from Christ, the Son of God. In order to be effective and productive in his mission, he needed to spend some time with the one who sent him. Prayer is the key to a successful life, to a productive ministry and to a committed Christian life.
3. While praying on that mountain, Christ sensed that his disciples were in trouble at sea. They were struggling as their boat was buffeted by strong wind and waves, and so he swung into action. “It is I, do not be afraid”, he assured them. Peter asked him, “If it is you bid me come to you on the water.” Christ invited him and he stepped on the water, while keeping 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. It seems that no matter how much we fix our gaze on Jesus, he seems to be passing us by. Our faith has been tested over and over again like that of Peter and Elijah. How do we handle the stormy weather of broken relationships and shattered dreams? Unfortunately, some of our storms are self-inflicted, we seem to find it difficult to free ourselves from the shackles of misguided dreams and misplaced priorities. We are drowned by worldly desires that drag us down each time we try to get up. How do we deal with the waves of drugs in our families or the coronavirus pandemic that has defiled all logic? Even our Church is not spared the turbulent waves of sin, deceit, cover-up and unaccountability. We are rocked by innumerable problems and unanswerable questions. This is the time for us to cry out like Peter, Lord, save us, we are drowning. And Christ will say to us men and women of little faith, why did you doubt? It is I, do not be afraid.
5. These readings made it clear to us 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 our needs and he is always willing to assist us. No matter our waves: be it bad marriage, struggle with temptation, dealing with depression or grieving the loss of a love one, we are not alone. Jesus tells us “I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.” (Jn. 16:33). Finally, today’s readings remind us that, 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. Therefore, we must worship and acknowledge that, “Truly, you are the Son of God.” May God bless us and assure us of his presence in our lives now and always. Amen.
Rev. Augustine Etemma Inwang, MSP
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