19th Sunday in Ordinary Time
13th August 2023 (Sunday) Readings and Reflection
Psalter: Week 3
Reading of the Day
First Reading: 1 Kings 19:9a, 11-13a
In those days: Elijah came to a cave [Horeb the mount of God,] and lodged in it. And behold, the word of the Lord came to him. And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.
Psalm 85:9ab and 10, 11-12, 13-14 (R. 8)
R/. Let us see, O Lord, your mercy, and grant us your salvation.
Second Reading: Romans 9:1-5
Brethren: I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit — that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh. They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.
Alleluia
V/. Alleluia R/. Alleluia
V/. I long for you, O Lord, my soul longs for his word.
R/. Alleluia
Gospel : Matthew 14:22-33
[After the crowd was satisfied,] Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
Daily Gospel Reflection
Highlight: Fix the focus!
Guidlines: We know that life is not a smooth sailing; often the lifeboat is tossed about by strong winds which threaten to sink it. But nothing to worry; all that ijs needed is to fix the focus on the Lord{alertSuccess}
1. All discipleship is “Walking by the Lord in a sea of troubled waters”, in the light of the gospel episode in Matthew 14. 22-33. The episode presents the disciples sailing in a boat, tossed about by strong winds. Jesus comes to them walking over the waters. But the disciples, be it due to tension or fear or preoccupation or lack of clear sight do not recognize him, and mistake him to be a ghost. Jesus assures them that it is he. Peter, as usual enthusiastic and impulsive, wishes to try the same “wonder-feat” of Jesus, and so with Jesus’ encouragement and power, begins to walk in the waters. But after a while, being frightened by the strong winds and waves, he begins to sink, and of course Jesus comes to his rescue.
2. Now one may easily explain this miracle as a nature-miracle, presenting Jesus as one who has power over nature and the natural forces, one who commands them and they obey him and they are subdued. But perhaps we can take another route of reflection which can be profound and beneficial in a context of discipleship.
3. The simple point of reflection can be: the fundamental difference between being focused on Jesus, and not being focused on Jesus; what happens when the focus is not on Jesus, and what happens when the focus is on Jesus. As long as Peter’s focus was on Jesus, he could walk amidst the waters, walk against the opposing winds, walk forward, walk toward Jesus steadily, firmly and serenely, reach him, be in his presence, experience the calm, and worship him in surrender. The waters do not frighten him, the winds do not hinder him or overpower him. The sight of the vast sea does not make him apprehensive or uncertain. He is able to walk ahead, with stability, solidity and serenity. He is able to enjoy his presence and get re-confirmed in his faith.
4. But the whole scene changes, when the focus is shifted away from Jesus. Fear grips, confidence shakes, courage drops, faith wavers, feet stumble, and he begins to sink.
5. Now our situation is very much the same as that of the gospel situation. Our life is like the boat, sailing amidst a sea of opposing winds and unfavourable situations, which makes the sail difficult and frightened. It is in such moments, the sight and the call of Jesus may encourage us like Peter to continue and persevere walking over the troubled waters for a while.
6. What happened to Peter, exactly happens to us also in our life. As long as we are focused on the Lord, we are able to surge ahead in spite of the engulfing challenges and adversities. But when our focus is deviated from the Lord, being caught up with the problems and pressures or at times the pleasures of the world, we too experience the same “sinking” of Peter. We become easily frightened, with the evil or problem so much disturbing and annoying us. We lose confidence in ourselves, in others and in God as well. We become uncertain, confused. We become vulnerable and weak. Our faith becomes vacillating and unsteady, easy to give up. We begin to falter and fail.
7. Therefore, a true discipleship invites us to be realistic, to be aware of the challenges that beset our journey, but to be focused on the Lord and to continue walking. We must also be aware of our own human fragility which never leaves us, which exposes us at times to the possibilities of losing our focus, and encounter the same negative situations of a “drop” on different counts, leading eventually to sinking. However, we are also reassured that we will not be abandoned to our fate. Jesus will immediately come to our rescue. We need to continue our walking and sailing.
Practice: As long as we are focused on the Lord and rest confident in his never-abandoning care for us, we will surge ahead even amidst all the frightening and pressuring forces{alertSuccess}