Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk
19th Sunday of the Year – August 9, 2020
Readings: 1 Kings 19:9,11-13; Responsorial Psalm Ps 84:9-14;
Romans 9:1-5 & Gospel Matthew 14:22-33.
Theme: A Search for God!
The first reading reveals how the Prophet Elijah had a divine encounter with God on Mount Horeb not through a mighty wind, earthquake or fire but through a gentle breeze. In the second reading, St. Paul goes emotional by expressing great sorrow over his fellow Jews for not living up to expectation. The gospel narrates how the apostles were terrified when they saw Jesus walking on the Sea of Galilee. It tells how Jesus saved Peter from sinking into the sea. Our liturgy invites us for a divine encounter with Christ through the Church which represents the boat and urges us to dispose ourselves to listen to God through the gentle breeze of quite time and communing with nature.
Introduction
Beloved in Christ, our liturgy urges us to genuinely search for God. While it reveals how Prophet Elijah found God through a gentle breeze at Horeb, it narrates how St. Peter walked up to Jesus on the water. It curious to note how and why Jesus reveals himself through nature. Our reflection entitled: “A Search for God” would present a summary of the readings in preparation for appropriate spiritual lessons.
Summary and Background of the ReadingsThe first reading (1 Kings 19:9,11-13) tells how the Prophet Elijah went into a cave at Horeb and spent a night in it. It further discloses that God told him to go out and stand on the mountain for a divine encounter. We are told that the Lord went by. Just then, there was a mighty wind which tore the mountains and shattered the rocks but the Lord was not in the wind. There came an earthquake but the Lord was not in the earthquake. This was followed by fire but the Lord was not in the fire. But at the sound of a gentle breeze, Elijah covered his face with his cloak and went and stood at the entrance of the cake.
In the second reading (Romans 9:1-5), St. Paul goes emotional by expressing great sorrow and mental anger towards his fellow Israelites who were adopted as sons and daughters of God, given the glory and covenants, laws and rituals as well as promises but did not live up to expectation. He further lamented why the descendants of the patriarchs and flesh and blood of Jesus who is God forever would betray such lofty privileges.
The gospel (Matthew 14:22-33) unravels the encounter between Jesus and his apostles on the Sea of Galilee. John the Baptist had been killed and as usual, Jesus withdrew into the hills to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, far out on the lake. There was a heavy wind. In the fourth watch of the night, he started walking on the lake towards the disciples. When they saw him, they were terrified and taught it was a ghost. Jesus called out saying: “Courage! It is I! Do not be afraid.” Peter then oblige him to walk on the water. As he walked towards Jesus, he felt the force of the wind, took fright and began to sink crying: “Lord! Save me” At that, Jesus stretched out his hand and held him saying: “Man of little faith. Why did you doubt?” As they went into the boat, the wind dropped. Those in the boat bowed down before him saying: “Truly, you are the Son of God.”
Pastoral Lessons
1. The Mighty Wind Stands for Debauchery: Our liturgy reminds us that God cannot be found in the mighty wind which stands for debauchery that tears the mountains and rocks of our spiritual foundation.
2. The Earthquake Signifies Secular Music: Also, the first reading indicates that we cannot find God in the cacophony of wild music and various noises which distracts us from concentrating on any divine encounter with God.
3. The Fire Denotes Sexual Promiscuity: The reading suggests that God cannot be discovered in the fire of sexual recklessly which destroys the very fabric of our intimate union with him.
4. The Sea Represents the World: Christians are urged to beware of the Sea which stands for the world that often distracts us from establishing a genuine relationship with God.
5. The Headwind Means Trials: The headwind represents the trials, tribulations and temptations in the world which keep tossing believers about. These come in form of sickness, hunger, unemployment, death, bereavement, rejection and persecution just to mention a few.
