Introduction: Faith Plays an important part in our lives. Today's liturgy speaks to us about the
faith of the Prophet Elijah who trusts in the promises of the Lord God even
when his enemies are trying to kill him. In the Gospel we have the disciples who are frightened by seeing Jesus walking on the sea. Jesus assures them that it
He. Peter adventurously starts walking on the waters but sinks when he doubted.
The question asked by Jesus was: "Man of little faith, why did you doubt?" Jesus
asks this question to us when we are distressed, broken hearted and lost sight
of the Lord in our lives.
First Reading: 1Kings 19: 9 and 11 to 13
Second Reading: Romans 9: 1 to 5
Gospel Reading: Matthew 14: 22 to 33
*First reading is from the first book of Kings. The most distressing situation of Prophet Elijah is described. Elijah is fleeing for his life because his enemies are trying to kill him. When everything seems to be lost, Elijah hears the voice of the Lord God. It comes to him not in a mighty wind or in a powerful earthquake. But it comes to him in the gentle breeze. Prophet Elijah's experience reminds us that the Lord God comes to us in the most unexpected way and at an unexpected time to reassure us. He comes not with powerful and awesome signs but in the silence of our hearts and in gentle whispers. We have to be attentive and listen to Him.
*Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Romans. Paul narrates his sorrows and anguish to the Christian community at Rome. He suffers because his fellow Jews refuse to accept the Lord Jesus as their Lord and Messiah. He expresses his willingness to forgo everything he has for the sake of the Jews who are not willing to become sons of God through the mediation of Jesus Christ.
Jesus walks on the sea Today's Gospel reading is from St. Matthew. A detailed account of how Jesus miraculously walks on the sea and comes to the disciples who were on a boat is given. Whole day long, Jesus had been breaking the Word of God to the people and healing many who were sick and possessed by the evil powers. At sunset, His disciples go on a boat to the other side of the sea of Galilee. At day break, when it was still dark, Jesus comes to them walking on the sea. The disciples are terrified because they thought they saw a ghost. Jesus immediately assures them: "Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid." In the second part of the Gospel, seeing Jesus walk on the sea, Peter expresses his wish to walk on the sea. Jesus grants him the wish. Peter ventured into the sea and started to walk on the sea focusing on Jesus. However, the moment he took his gaze away from the Lord, he started to sink. Jesus rebukes him saying: "Man of little faith, why did you doubt?" In this context St. John Paul II says: "Have no fear of moving into the unknown. Simply step out fearlessly knowing that I am with you, therefore no harm can befall you." Nelson Mandela says: "I learned that courage was not absence of fear, but the triumph over it."
Conclusion: Jesus assures the disciples of His living presence and asks them not to have any fear. The same Jesus gives each one of us His assurance when we are worried and frightened by many seen and unseen ghosts of this world. He says: Have no fear. Like Peter many of us have gone through the sinking experience some time or the other. In the stormy waters, we have only to keep our gaze fixed on Jesus. When moments of doubts cause us to sink like Peter, we too should call out to the Lord. He will certainly reach out to us.
May the Lord Jesus, who assured the disciples that 'It is I, do not be afraid', bless you and you too may experience His divine protection from all dangers. Amen.
(Kindly note: Sunday Reflections with Fr. Joy Joseph is available on YouTube. Please view, like, share and subscribe to the video version on YouTube. Thanks.)
