A Roman Catholic Priest of the Holy Ghost Fathers and Brothers || Lover of the Holy Spirit & Word of God || Engineer (Electronic/ Computer Configurations & Repairs, Graphic & Web designer) || An Artist.
First Reading: 1 Kings 19:9, 11–13; Second Reading: Romans 9:1–5; Gospel Matthew: 14:22–33
Introduction
In a world filled with distractions and trials, maintaining faith in God can be a formidable task. The relentless onslaught of violence, corruption, and personal struggles often leaves us feeling fearful and disconnected from the divine. At times, we may even yearn for God to display His power dramatically, to intervene and eradicate the sources of evil.
On this 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time, we are reminded of the importance of recognizing God’s presence in our lives. The readings invite us to reflect on the ways in which God reveals Himself to us and how we can respond to His presence. This reflection explores the need to acknowledge God’s presence amidst life’s challenges and underscores the significance of unwavering faith. Continue Reading...
Elijah’s Encounter with God: Assurance of God’s Presence
In the first reading, Elijah, a prophet, found himself in a precarious situation. He killed the prophets of Baal to prove God’s supremacy and stop the spread of false worship. Due to fear, he fled afterward to escape Queen Jezebel’s threat of retaliation. Discouraged and feeling abandoned by God, Elijah sought refuge in a cave. God revealed Himself to him in a gentle whisper after several periods of geographical turbulence. This was to show Elijah that He is a peaceful and non-violent God, manifesting to him in a gentle voice instead of the thunder or earthquake that initially appeared. Also, He is always in control and present in every situation.
This encounter with God transformed Elijah’s perspective on life and renewed his faith. It reminds us that God often speaks to us in the quiet moments of our lives, in the stillness of our hearts. We need to be attentive and open to His presence, even in the midst of our challenges.
Peter’s Experience on the Sea: A Test of His Unwavering Faith in God
In the Gospel reading, Peter was distracted by turbulence and heavy storm. Initially, he had a strong, unwavering faith and was moving smoothly on top of the water, with his eyes fixed on Jesus Christ. But as soon as he removed his eye or gaze from Jesus Christ, he began to sink. It was only when he cried out to Jesus Christ – “Lord, save me,” that he was saved.
For instance, many people engage themselves in or play one ball game or another, like; football, golf, lawn tennis basketball, etc. For you to be victorious in some of these games, you need to always keep your eyes focused on the ball; otherwise, the moment you take your eyes off the ball, you are bound to make mistakes.
That is when A golfer who loses sight of the ball misses the mark, a goalkeeper who averts their gaze concedes a goal, and a table tennis player who loses concentration hits the net. Similarly, in our spiritual journey, we may start with unwavering faith, but as life’s challenges (sickness, marital crisis, hardships, etc.) arise, we become disoriented, distracted, and take our eyes off Jesus Christ.
Overcoming Challenges with Unwavering Faith in Jesus Christ
Challenges can lead some to resort to negative means to solve their problems. Some people may, out of impatience, relegate Jesus Christ to the background, if not repudiate him altogether. Fear may also drive some individuals to seek solutions in occultism, secret cults, juju, even witchcraft, and so on. At this point, they begin to sink, on the verge of drowning.
However, we can comfortably overcome any storm that comes our way in life without sinking if we put our trust in God. By keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus Christ and not allowing them to distract us (Hebrews 12:2). It is when we allow fear and doubt to consume us that we begin to sink. We must have unwavering faith and trust in Jesus Christ, even when circumstances seem overwhelming. He is always there, ready to extend His hand and lift us up, for the Just shall live by faith (Habakkuk 2:4).
St. Paul’s Reflection on Unwavering Faith
St. Paul laments the Jews’ refusal to recognize Jesus Christ as the promised Messiah, as they yearned for an earthly savior to overthrow the Romans. In times of difficulty, nominal Christians may similarly turn away from God, resorting to ungodly practices. However, we must not interpret God’s apparent silence as abandonment. He is merciful and compassionate, allowing us to face challenges that draw us closer to Him. Even in our darkest moments, we can find solace in the knowledge that God is always with us (Romans 8:31–37).
Conclusion
This reflection extends a prophetic declaration of “PEACE” to every storm in your life and your family’s life. May the Holy Spirit fortify your faith journey, enabling you to encounter God’s presence in your life. May you possess the courage to step out of your comfort zone, trusting that Jesus Christ will guide and support you. Like Elijah and Peter, may your encounters with a loving and merciful God transform you. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
