Scripture readings for this reflection can be found at https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/080926.cfm
In our first reading for today from the first book of Kings we hear of the prophet Elijah. In the chapter just proceeding this he was on Mt. Carmel and showed that there’s one true God. He proved that there was no god other than God. The people were following the false god Baal. At proving that there is only one true God, the people were upset at Elijah and started attacking him and he escaped. In today’s reading he was feeling alone and forsaken. Searching for the Lord, he didn’t hear him in the wind or the crashing rocks. Rather he heard the Lord in the tiny whispering sound.
We can follow Elijah‘s example by looking for the Lord not in big dramatic ways, but in the silence of our prayers. It is then the Lord will speak with us.
In the gospel for today, Matthew chapter 14, we hear of the Lord going off by himself to pray. It is there that the Lord opens his mind and heart to the Father to continue his ministry. Then, knowing the disciples were in the midst of the storm he walks on the water towards them. The disciples were scared, thinking he was a ghost. Peter said if it is you, Lord, bid me to walk to you on the water. As long as Peter‘s eyes were on Jesus, he was walking on the water. Then, as soon as he got distracted, he started to sink. Jesus reaches out to him and saves him.
The lesson for today’s readings is to keep our eyes always focused on God through Jesus Christ. No matter what problems or storms we are facing, we can always turn to God to be with us and to help us.
From Arlene B. Muller
ReplyDeleteThe priest who presided at 4:30 Saturday Mass spoke about how we tend to look for the LORD in ways that are predictable & ways we want & expect, but that the LORD often speaks & acts & answers our prayers in ways that are UNPREDICTABLE. GOD IS IN CONTROL. WE ARE NOT. There were all these signs Elijah experienced: fire, wind & earthquake, but the Presence of the LORD was in the "still, small voice" aka "tiny whispering sound." The precursors demonstrated GOD's power, but the "still, small voice" shows GOD'S gentleness.
Also, who would have expected Our LORD to come walking on the water in the midst of a storm?
YES, we need to keep our eyes on JESUS & also acknowledge & be open to thr fact that He often speaks & acts in ways that we don't expect.