Homily
for August 13, 2017
Last
Sunday, we celebrated the Feast of the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ. Jesus
took with him Peter, James and John to the Mountain where he was transfigured
before them and there appeared to him Moses and Elijah.
Jesus
wanted them to see a small glimpse of his heavenly glory so that their faith
would not fail them when they eventually face the scandal of the cross. Just as
the Transfiguration event was meant to strengthen their faith, Jesus walked on
water in today’s Gospel passage in other to show the disciples that He is
totally in control of the universe and that there was no need for fear.
In our
first reading, God proves to Elijah that He is a God who is not restricted only
to fire and brimstone alone. Often you hear people sing: God of Elijah send
down fire, God of Elijah send down fire… But as we can see in our first
reading, the God of Elijah also comes in a gentle breeze and a still small
voice.
Elijah’s
encounter teaches us that God is always present even when we do not notice. That
is to say, God sometimes prefers to use a still small voice rather than very
loud speakers; that God not only answers by fire, that God can as well answer
silently.
This encounter
shows us that in the face of serious trials and tribulations, God comes to us
gently and quietly but we could become too distracted with our problems and
challenges that we fail to notice his presence.
Indeed,
those times we find ourselves asking “God, where are you?” it is not as if God
is far from us, it is just that we are expecting God to answer loudly by fire
when he has chosen to answer gently.
When the
chips are down, when we are confused, dejected and alone, when our plans fail
woefully, when we are let down, overcome by fear, worry and anxiety, let us
always picture the scenario of Jesus walking on water.
No matter
how tough life may be, no situation is greater than God. In fact, God walks on
top of our crises and he says to us: “FEAR NOT, IT IS I.”
Peter
looked at the waves and started sinking. We must never take our eyes away from
God when we are in crises. We should avoid the mistake of allowing our minds
become overwhelmed by the situation of things around us. Focus on the Power of
God, not on the enormity of your problems.
The
question Jesus asked Peter when he was about to sink is a question that God is
constantly asking us: “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” By the time
we begin to ask God “Where are you?” it is already a clear sign that we assume God
is absent from us but the truth is that God is always with us as the Psalmist
would say:
Where can I go from your spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence?
If I ascend to heaven, you are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there.
If I take the wings of the morning and settle at the farthest limits of the
sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me
fast. If I say, "Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light around
me become night," even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is as
bright as the day, for darkness is as light to you. Psalm 139:7-12.
Dear friends, there is no situation that is beyond the power of God. No matter
the ups and downs of life, God is perfectly in control of the universe and even
though he may not come to us loudly, he is always there with us and for us. Our
real enemy is not the situation of life but the fact that we allow fear
overcome us. Faith in God leaves no room for doubt.
Let us
pray: Lord Jesus, I believe, help my unbelief. Amen.
*Happy
Sunday. Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God
bless you. (Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year A. Bible Study: 1st
Kings 19:9-13, Romans 9:1-5 and Matthew 14:22-33).
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