Theme

Nineteenth Sunday of the Year *10^thAugust 2008*
Theme :	*‘Blowing in the wind’*
1st. Reading:	Kings 19:9.11-13
2nd Reading:	Romans 9:1-5
Gospel :	Matthew 14:22-33

Dear Friend,

We think of God as the almighty and all powerful, the God who can do the impossible, which indeed are attributes of God, but do we think of the God of small things? We believe God can work dramatic miracles if he so desires, but can we see God in the ordinary, the difficult and the routine existence of daily life? Can we especially find him in the storms of life? Often God comes in small and unexpected ways into our life. He reveals himself in our weaknesses rather than in strength! Have a quiet weekend enjoying the small surprising ways of God!

Fr. Jude Botelho

Today’s first reading from the Book of Kings tells us of the prophet Elijah’s discouragement that his work as a prophet was not recognized and he was being hunted to death. He was frustrated and had no desire to continue living. He goes to the mountain, the abode of God where in silence he waits for God to meet him. God does come to encounter Elijah but not in the way Elijah expects him. God passes him in the mighty earthquake and in the might fire but Elijah fails to recognize him. Like us Elijah expects God to come with big fan fare, making his mighty presence felt. That is the way how earthly powers manifest themselves. But God comes in the gentle breeze that refreshes and comforts. God comes in the most unexpected of ways. We can find his presence everywhere if only we have faith in him.

What the eye cannot see…..
There is a West Indian folk tale about a contest for youth. The young men of a village were sent out on a search for the most beautiful thing in the world and to return with it to show it to the elders. One young enthusiast named Amarli Bakoff raced to the distant hills which always fascinated him, He climbed higher and higher, through forest and scrubland until he came to the snowfields for the first time in his life.”Surely” he thought, as he reached the dazzling whiteness, “this must be the most beautiful thing in the world!” He plunged his hand into the stinging coldness and clutched a handful of snow in its marvellous purity. With his hand held tightly closed, he raced back to the village eager to be back for the appointed day of the judging of the contest. The villagers were assembled, and the judges were inspecting the priceless treasures the other youth had discovered: jewels, silks, marvels of art and craft, and wonders of nature. Suddenly Amarli Bakoff broke into their midst. “What have you brought us?” they asked excitedly. “See” he cried triumphantly – and opened his hand. There was nothing there. They saw nothing. Only Amarli Bakoff knew the meaning of what had happened. “The most beautiful thing in the world” he said, “is what eye cannot see and what hand cannot hold.”
Peter Hargreaves in ‘Quotes and Anecdotes’

In today’s gospel we hear that Jesus had just fed the multitude with the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and the fish and the crowds had left contented and satisfied. Jesus now sends his disciples in a boat across the lake to the other side while he himself seeks to be alone in solitude communing with His Father. He climbs up the mountain to pray. It was the traditional abode of God and one needed to make the effort to climb, to rise above, to meet the Lord. Just as Elijah had gone up the mountain to await the Lord’s presence, Jesus too went up the mountain to be with His Abba. In the meanwhile the disciples in the boat in the middle of the lake encounter a storm that lashes their little boat. While Jesus is at prayer he has not forgotten them and is aware of their plight. He wants to be with them as they battle the storm, and he walks towards them on the sea. They see Jesus coming to them over the water but do not recognize him. They believe it’s a ghost and they cry out in fear. Jesus calls out to them reassuringly: “Take heart, it is I do not be afraid.” Hearing Jesus Peter picks up courage and daringly and thoughtlessly challenges Jesus: “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” Jesus takes him up on his word and says, “Come!” Peter gets out of the security of his boat and walks miraculously on the water. As long as his gaze is on Jesus he walks on the water confidently. Suddenly his gaze shifts from Jesus to the wind and the waves and the other disciples in the boat and he panics and starts sinking. Aware of his predicament and of his peril he calls out to Jesus, “Lord, save me” and immediately Jesus reaches out and pulls him up and saves him saying, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” Then Jesus and Peter enter the boat and the winds cease and there is a great calm and all is well again. All the disciples in the boat are aware that something wondrous has happened, the storm is over and the sea has been calmed because of the presence of Jesus. They are moved to adoration saying, “Truly you are the son of God.”

Walking on Water
A Man Called Peter was a best-selling biography that was later made into a movie. It narrates the life of Peter Marshall, a Scotsman from Glasgow whose desire was to be a seaman but whose destiny took him to the U.S. Senate as chaplain. As a lad, Peter enlisted in the British Navy, but his career lasted only two days when it was discovered that he was only 14 years old. Later, when working as a machinist and teaching Sunday School, Peter felt the call to be a minister. Persuaded by a cousin to come across to America, Peter set out in faith to cross the cold waters of the North Atlantic. With little money, no friends and only a job reference, Peter likened himself to other men of faith who ventured into the unknown, men like the patriarch Abraham, the explorer Columbus, and the pioneer Brigham Young. The Lord continued to guide Peter Marshall in surprising ways through the Presbyterian ministry, in marriage to Catherine, his parish assignments and finally to his fame as chaplain to the U.S. Senate. Peter Marshall died in 1949 when he was only 46, but in that short lifetime he inspired thousands of people by his preaching, his friendliness, and above all by his life of prayer. Another man called Peter who ventured over water is the subject of today’s gospel. God is calling many of us to walk on the water, to move into the unknown. What kind of faith do we have? Will we sink with Peter or set sail with Peter Marshall?

Albert Cylwicki in ‘His Word resounds’

Oh you of little faith! Why did you doubt?
Even the best of people have preconceived ideas about God. A man named Smith was sitting on his roof during a flood, and the water was up to his feet. Before long a fellow in a canoe paddled past and shouted, “Can I give you a lift to higher ground?” “No thanks,” said Smith. “I have faith in God and he will save me.” Soon the water rose to Smith’s waist. At this point a motorboat pulled up and someone called out, “Can I give you a lift to higher ground?” “No thanks, I have faith in God and he will save me.” Later a helicopter flew by, and Smith by now was standing on the roof with water up to his neck. “Grab the rope,” yelled the pilot. “I’ll pull you up.” “No thanks,” said Smith. “I have faith in the Lord and he will save me.” But after hours of treading water, poor exhausted Smith drowned. As he arrived at the Pearly Gates, Smith met his maker and complained about the turn of events. “Tell me Lord,” he said, “I had such faith in you to save me and you let me down. What happened?” The Lord replied, “What do you want from me? I sent you two boats and a helicopter!”
Harold Buetow in ‘God Still Speaks: Listen!”

“It is easy to discern the teaching Mathew gives through the symbolism this event of the calming of the storm. On the unfriendly sea of this world the vessel of the Church ploughs through the waves, under attack by evil. Her master is not in the little boat: his return is expected at the end of the night. Here and now, the Church will only make her way to the harbor of salvation if she believes in the powerful word of the risen Lord. Until after the resurrection the faith of the disciples fluctuated a great deal: they doubt and fear in the presence of him whom they took for a spirit. In the person of Peter with his impulses and hesitations, we find depicted the faith of the typical disciple: our own faith. It will not be able to overcome its fears and its questions except by turning resolutely to Christ in order to obey when he calls. Then with all our fears overcome, we will be able to bow down before him and confess his divinity.” - Glenstal Bible Missal

From that sinking feeling God lifted me
John R. Anthony was selling law books to lawyers. He knew his job but he never made much sales and got easily discouraged. He doubled his efforts but they never paid off. Sense of fear and dread engulfed him and he even began to fear meeting people. His sales manager threatened to stop his advances if he didn’t send in more orders. His wife complained that he could not pay the grocery bills.One night he came back to his hotel room completely broken and depressed, he did not want to live. Since he had no one to turn towards, he turned to God. He prayed that God might give him light and guidance. After praying he opened his eyes and saw the Bible on the dresser in the hotel room. He opened the book and read the words of Jesus: “Take no thought for your life, what you are to eat, or what you are to drink, or what you are to wear. Is not life more important than food and clothes? Look at the birds of the air, for they sow not nor do they reap, nor do they gather into barns, yet your heavenly father feeds them. Are you not much better than they?” After he read and prayed over those words of Jesus, a miracle happened. His tension vanished, he was filled with courage and he went to bed and slept soundly.The next day he got up, dressed well and headed for his clients with a positive attitude. He made more sales than he had ever made in weeks. From then on he never turned back. Twenty years later he confessed this truth.”That night I had suddenly become aware of my relationship with God. A mere man alone can easily be defeated, but a man alive with the power of God within him is invincible. I know. I saw it work in my life.” Anthony from a sinking state reached out to Christ and Christ lifted him.

Dale Carnegie in ‘How to stop worrying and start living’

May we find God reaching out to us in every storm of life!

Fr. Jude Botelho
director@niscort.com

P.S. :The stories, incidents and anecdotes used in the reflections have been collected over the years from books as well as from sources over the net and from e-mails received. Every effort is made to acknowledge authors whenever possible. If you send in stories or illustrations I would be grateful if you could quote the source as well so that they can be acknowledged if used in these reflections. I would be happy if you could link this website to your own parish/diocesan/institutional website. If you wish to receive these reflections by e-mail, or send them to a friend, do send in the e-mail address to <jude@netforlife.plus.com>

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