BASED ON CATHOLIC LITURGICAL READINGS
19TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR A
THEME: “A TRUSTFUL FAITH”
((Readings: 1st: 1Kgs 19:9.11-13; Ps: 84; 2nd: Rom 9:1-5; Gos: Mt 14:22-33))
A story told about trustful Faith attributed to St. Patrick: In the middle of a dark winter’s night, in a small village, the two-story building home of a young family caught fire. Quickly, parents and children left the house to a safer ground outside. There the father quickly counted heads of his children and realized that their 5-year-old son was not among them. Suddenly he heard a wail and looked up to see the boy at his bedroom window, crying and rubbing his eyes. Knowing the danger of reentering the house to rescue his son, the father called, “Jump, Son! I will catch you!” The boy responded to the voice of his father that he knew so well. “But I can’t see you, Daddy!” The father answered with great assurance. “Do not worry Son, you can’t see me, but I can see you! Jump! Jump!” Immediately, the boy jumped into the smoky darkness and found himself safely cradled in his father’s arms.
Today being the 19th Sunday in the ordinary time, our mother church assures us of God’s saving presence for his people and the need for trusting faith in a loving and providing God who always keeps us company although we do not see him. The first reading tells us of how Elijah the prophet defeated the 450 false prophets of Baal with the help of such a trusting faith in the power of Yahweh, and of how, later, HE LOST THAT FAITH and took to flight when his life was in danger. He was being hunted by Jezebel, the king of Tyre, so he went to hide himself in caves. Similarly, the gospel episode explains how Jesus intervened to save the disciples from the sea waves and what happened to Peter WHEN HE LOST his trusting faith in Jesus for a few seconds, he began to sink in water.
Dear friend today we reflect of the “Power of Faith”; what happens when we have a trusting Faith in God and what happens when our Faith begins to fail.
- WE BECOME CONQURERS VS VICTIMS
In the year (869-850 BC), King Ahab married Jezebel, the daughter of the pagan king of Tyre, and allowed her to build a temple for her god Baal, then encouraged, and himself took part in, idol worship and immorality. The prophet Elijah was sent by Yahweh to Israel to bring His people back to true worship. Elijah’s trusting faith in the power and presence of Yahweh enabled him to defeat and execute the 450 pagan priests of Jezebel’s temple on a contest at Mount Carmel (1 Kgs. 18: 16-40). If you have a trusting Faith in God, then you conquer and defeat every challenge that comes your way.
Consequently, Jezebel hired murderous to execute Elijah. At the smell of danger, Elijah was troubled and flew for his safety in the wilderness and hide himself in caves. However, God does not abandon him despite having lost a trusting faith in Him, but comes to his rescue in a form of a gentle breeze. If you lose you faith in God the you become a victim of circumstances like Elijah.
- WE WALK ABOVE THE STORMS VS WE SINK IN THE STORMS
The Gospel passage gives an account of how Peter miraculously walked on waters that before was troubling the disciples. Strong Faith has the power to enable us walk above our troubles and storms of this life. Peter represents all who dare to believe that Jesus is Savior, those who have confidence that he is able to sustain them, they walk above their troubles.
However, when the fear comes in and they forget to keep their eyes fixed on Jesus, when they face storms then they begin to sink. They are consumed by their problems. From the depth of crisis, however, if they remember to call on the Savior, they experience the total sufficiency of his grace to meet their needs. The only faith Jesus expects of his followers is a faith which concentrates solely on him. If we trust and focus on him, we can walk above every storm in our life, but the moment we lose our focus on him, we begin to perish like Peter.
- WE MOVE GREATE OBSTACLES VS WE CREATE GREATE OBSTACLES
On the power faith, Jesus continues to teach, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, move from here to there, and it will move- Nothing will be impossible for you.” (Mt 17:20). Faith in Jesus help us to move the biggest obstacles that blocks our prosperity. What are some of the obstacles in your path of life? On the other hand, the absence of Faith creates imaginary obstacles that blocks us from reaching our dreams.
In brief, today Jesus is giving us assurance of his presence in our life during times we are experiencing the storms. The boat represents the Church, battered by temptations, scandals, trials and persecutions. The episode offers the same reassurance to us in times of illness, death, persecution, or other troubles. Jesus still comes to us in the midst of our troubles, saying, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid. „Therefore, let us keep our eyes gazed on Him who is our help and salvation. The presence of Jesus gives us peace even when faced with wildest storms of fear, doubt, sorrow, anger, sickness, breakdown, etc. He empowers us to reach the unreachable, move the unmovable and to cross the un-crossable.
Prayer: Let me see, O Lord, your mercy and give me your saving help. Amen
Fr. Antony Muchui, SVD
Blessed Sunday (Do you want to become a Divine word missionary? Contact our vocation office +255 629269140 or +254 792 299 140)
“May the heart of Jesus live in the hearts of all People. Amen”
SVD JAMBO KENTAN 