19th Sunday of Ordinary Times

Readings for:19th Sunday of Ordinary Times, Year A

Reading 1   1 Kings 19:9a, 11-13a  

Psalm         Psalm 85:9, 10, 11-12, 13-14 

Reading 2   Romans 9:1-5 

Gospel         Matthew 14:22-33 

REFLECTIONS:… from Father Daniel     

Theme of Sunday: Revelation of God and the Revelation of Christ. The first reading and the Gospel have the same theme, the revelation of the face of God. In the first reading God manifests himself to Elijah in a completely new way, different from the pagan gods and from the way to which Israel  was accustomed. In the gospel we have a further revelation of God, through Jesus who comes, like the God of the Old Testament, as a master of the sea, giving his own divine power to humans.  The second reading touches on the same theme as it reminds us of the difficulties Paul had to face. We could say that he was saved by Jesus who stretched out his hand to him, Just as he did to Peter.   

Sometime, somehow, you’ve had an experience that lets you see a different reality.  Just as today’s first reading tells us of Elijah’s experience of God.  The Lord God was not present in the earth-shaking “theatrical” ways we might expect. Yahweh was present in a whisper. The special effects were not clues of God’s presence. The simplicity of a whisper caused Elijah to hide his face.

Similarly, the disciples in the boat nearly jumped out of their skins seeing Jesus approach. Peter put this apparition to the test and was himself tested: Why did you falter? Why did you not believe? Peter’s faith was strong enough for him to begin the walk, but he was frightened. We too begin walking toward the Lord but falter. It’s then that Jesus reaches down and picks us up. The presence of the Lord breaks through the mundane and invites us to a deeper way of seeing. Surprised, we find ourselves appreciating the beauty of our world and knowing God’s love for us.: We respond to the invitation and begin to move closer to the Lord, only to find our knees weakened. Jesus then reaches out and strengthens us for our journey toward the light. St. John Paul II said, “ Apart from the mercy of God, there is no source of hope for mankind.” St. Mother Teresa said, “ God is a friend of silence.” So, work silently in your lows; stay humble in your highs. Quiet the mind and the soul will speak.