Readings: 1 Kings 19:9,11-13, Ps. 85:9-14, Romans 9:1-5, Matthew 14:22-33
“And in the fourth watch of the night, He came to them, walking on the sea.” (Matthew 14:25)
In today’s Gospel passage, something similar to the Transfiguration of Jesus took place. Jesus did not enter the boat with His disciples, but went to a quiet place to pray alone. At the fourth watch of the night, while the disciples were struggling with the waves, they saw Jesus walking to them on water. They thought it was a ghost because they were overcome by fear; they could not imagine a human being walking on water. As He did with Peter, James and John at the Transfiguration, Jesus used this occasion to reveal His Divinity and to assure them of His ever-abiding presence.
Are you lost at sea, scared at the waves beating you from every side, unable to know where to turn? Has life been very harsh to you, like it was with Elijah, who found himself fleeing from Jezebel in today’s First Reading? Has your faith in God begun to wane due to the troubles all around you? Then listen to what God says to you today.
1. Know Who You Are and Where You Belong
Matthew explains today that just after the crowds had eaten and were satisfied, Jesus “made the disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds.” Everywhere Jesus went, there were great crowds, most of whom had no personal relationship with Jesus. Some followed because they wanted miracles or because they saw others following. Some even followed to find fault with Jesus (to pull Him down) and so on. Knowing this, Jesus spoke to them in parables but would explain everything privately to His disciples.
As much as Jesus loved everyone equally, Jesus knew that not everyone could be carried along simultaneously. Of course, there are some whose hearts were like seeds planted along the roadside. Some people followed Jesus but joined in shouting: “Crucify Him, Crucify Him.”
Dear friends, enough is enough to be a number in the crowd; Jesus invites you today to become a disciple. Jesus is inviting you to go beyond being a Baby Christian to one whose faith remains unshaken despite trials and difficulties like Elijah and St. Paul, whom we encounter in our first and second readings today.
Jesus invites you today to enter the boat and go before him to the other side. Jesus wants you to distance yourself from the crowds (so-called Christians who do not live like Christ). Jesus wants you to graduate from crowd to disciple.
2. Prayer is the Master Key
After the crowds had been dismissed, Jesus had time to do what He wanted to do before feeding the multitudes. He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. When we examine the life of Jesus, you will notice this pattern: after every episode of great miracles, He would spend ample time in prayer (even whole nights). Prayer was Jesus’ favourite recreational activity; He was never too tired to pray. How is your prayer life?
Another important detail Matthew provides us today is that Jesus prayed alone. “When evening came, He was there alone, but the boat by this time was many furlongs distant from the land…” Jesus practically demonstrates what He taught us about prayer in the Sermon on the Mount: “Beware of practising your piety before men to be seen by them…when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” (Matthew 6:1&6).
In today’s first reading, Elijah experiences the presence of God in a still, small voice on Mount Horeb. There were loud noises, heavy winds, earthquakes and fire, but God was not in these. We live in a very noisy world; many do not know how to be silent. There is nothing wrong with raising one’s voice at prayer, but the truth is that even in silence, God can still be found.
3. Fear Not; God is Never Far from You
In his prayer, Jesus could see the trouble with the disciples even though they were many furlongs distant from the land. Jesus saw that they were beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. Dear friends, regardless of what we may be going through, let this image stick with us; let us always be assured that God sees everything happening to us, that He knows, that He understands, and that He cares deeply for our well-being.
We can never leave the presence of God as the Psalmist sings: “Where can I go from your spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there. If I take the wings of the morning and settle at the farthest limits of the sea, even there, your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me fast.” (Psalm 139:7-12).
While the children of Israel could only see Goliath, David saw God and had this inner peace and assurance within his heart that he could face Goliath. So long as Peter gazed on Jesus, he could walk on water, but when he turned his gaze to the winds, he began to sink.
Stop looking at the enormity of your problems and start learning how to fix your gaze permanently on God; learn to practice being in God’s presence. When we often ask, “God, where are you?” we forget He is always there. Your situation may be so bad that you now expect only the worst to happen; everything may have gotten out of hand, and your whole world may appear to be collapsing before your eyes; know this: God is right here with you. Even when you cannot picture Jesus walking on top of your crisis, know that it is impossible to be away from His presence.
Conclusion: Jesus is Lord of Heaven and Earth
Every one of us needs to ask ourselves today: “Who do I think is really in charge of this world?” If you truly believe that God is in charge, I ask the question that Jesus asked Peter: “O you of little faith, why are you doubting?” Why are you having sleepless nights after praying? Why are you expecting bad things to happen? Do you think God does not know what He is doing?
Let us pray: Almighty ever-living God, whom, taught by the Holy Spirit, we dare to call our Father, bring, we pray, to perfection in our hearts the spirit of adoption as your sons and daughters, that we may merit to enter into the inheritance which you have promised. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (19th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Liturgical Colour: Green. Bible Study: 1 Kings 19:9,11-13, Ps. 85:9-14, Romans 9:1-5, Matthew 14:22-33)
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu