Nineteenth Sunday of the Year August 13, 2023
1 Kings 19:9.11-13 Romans 9:1-5 Matthew 14:22-33
Today's readings remind us of the importance of faith and
trust in God, especially during times of uncertainty. In the midst of life's
challenges and trials, we are called to hold onto our faith steadfastly, just
like the disciples in the boat during the storm, and draw strength from the
knowledge that God is always with us. It is in struggles and pains of our life,
we realise the presence of the Lord, guiding us and leading us.
The first reading from the Book of Kings presents the
prophet Elijah, who experienced a crisis of faith. Fleeing from the threats of
Queen Jezebel, he found himself in the wilderness, exhausted and discouraged.
Yet, God's presence was revealed not in grand displays of power, but in a
gentle whisper. This reminds us that God often speaks to us in the quiet
moments of our lives, in the depths of our hearts. In times of uncertainty,
when the storms of doubt and fear rage within us, let us remember to listen for
that still, small voice of God, guiding us on our journey.
In the Gospel passage, we witness the familiar story of
Jesus walking on water. The disciples, caught in a fierce storm, were terrified
as they saw Jesus approaching them on the water. Peter, a symbol of our own
wavering faith, stepped out of the boat to walk toward Jesus. At first, he
succeeded, but then his doubt overwhelmed him, and he began to sink. Jesus
reached out to him and said, "O you of little faith, why did you
doubt?" This question is not meant to condemn Peter, but to invite us to
examine our own faith. How often do we allow doubt and fear to overpower our
trust in God's providence?
The message here is clear: faith is not the absence of
doubt, but the choice to trust in the midst of doubt. Like Peter, we may find
ourselves sinking when we take our eyes off Jesus and focus on the storms
around us. However, when we fix our gaze on Christ, even in the midst of life's
tempests, we can walk confidently on the waters of uncertainty.
As we reflect on these readings, we are reminded that living
faithfully does not exempt us from challenges. We will face storms and
difficulties, but it is precisely in those moments that our faith is tested and
strengthened. Our faith is not a shield that protects us from life's trials,
but a source of strength that empowers us to navigate them with hope and
courage.
Another important point here to note: The gospel of the day
begins with the narration stating that Jesus had already fed the people and
after they were satisfied, Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go…
It was a glorious moment of course! The disciples were so glad to feed the
people out of Jesus’ goodness. It was in this moment the disciples might have
become popular among the people. In this great feeding they failed to recognise
who Jesus was. Later, when their boat was tossed in the tempest of the sea,
when Peter was about to get drowned and in his cry, “Lord save me”, they
recognised Jesus as the Son of God.
In the face of uncertainty, let us cultivate a deep and abiding trust in God's loving presence. Let us listen for the whisper of God's guidance in the midst of life's noise. And let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, so that even in the stormiest of seas, we can step out in faith and walk confidently toward him.
As we continue this journey of faith, may we remember the
words of Jesus: "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid." With this
assurance, let us embrace each day with renewed faith, knowing that the one who
calms the storms is always by our side.
Happy Sunday
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