19th Sunday In Ordinary Time
13 August 2017
First reading
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1 Kings 19:9,11-13
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When Elijah reached Horeb, the mountain of the Lord, he went into
the cave and spent the night in it. Then he was told, ‘Go out and stand on the
mountain before the Lord.’ Then the Lord himself went by. There came a mighty
wind, so strong it tore the mountains and shattered the rocks before the Lord.
But the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind came an earthquake. But the
Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire. But the Lord
was not in the fire. And after the fire there came the sound of a gentle
breeze. And when Elijah heard this, he covered his face with his cloak and went
out and stood at the entrance of the cave.
Responsorial Psalm
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Psalm 84(85):9-14
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Let us see, O Lord, your
mercy, and give us your saving help.
Second reading
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Romans 9:1-5
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What I want to say now
is no pretence; I say it in union with Christ – it is the truth – my
conscience in union with the Holy Spirit assures me of it too. What I want to
say is this: my sorrow is so great, my mental anguish so endless, I would
willingly be condemned and be cut off from Christ if it could help my brothers
of Israel, my own flesh and blood. They were adopted as sons, they were given
the glory and the covenants; the Law and the ritual were drawn up for them, and
the promises were made to them. They are descended from the patriarchs and from
their flesh and blood came Christ who is above all, God for ever blessed! Amen.
Gospel Acclamation
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cf.Lk19:38,2:14
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Alleluia, alleluia!
My soul is waiting for the Lord,
My soul is waiting for the Lord,
I count on his word.
Alleluia!
Gospel
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Matthew 14:22-33
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Jesus made the disciples
get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side while he would send the
crowds away. After sending the crowds away he went up into the hills by himself
to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, while the boat, by now far out
on the lake, was battling with a heavy sea, for there was a head-wind. In the
fourth watch of the night he went towards them, walking on the lake, and when
the disciples saw him walking on the lake they were terrified. ‘It is a ghost’
they said, and cried out in fear. But at once Jesus called out to them, saying,
‘Courage! It is I! Do not be afraid.’ It was Peter who answered. ‘Lord,’ he
said ‘if it is you, tell me to come to you across the water.’ ‘Come’ said
Jesus. Then Peter got out of the boat and started walking towards Jesus across
the water, but as soon as he felt the force of the wind, he took fright and
began to sink. ‘Lord! Save me!’ he cried. Jesus put out his hand at once and
held him. ‘Man of little faith,’ he said ‘why did you doubt?’ And as they got
into the boat the wind dropped. The men in the boat bowed down before him and
said, ‘Truly, you are the Son of God.’
REFLECTION
by Theresa Ballo
Today’s Gospel clearly manifest the very nature of faith. The willingness to plunge ourselves into a messy world and expect an encounter with Jesus there. It is the nature of faith to rise above the normal “rules” of mediocrity to see the possibilities of what it might bring into our personal being. It is the nature of faith even to waver from time to time, when it has stepped into the chaotic, unfamiliar ground. Because as Peter experienced, Jesus is there where the safety nets are being redrawn, extending life-giving stability.
Peter in his human weakness doubted Jesus, in his fear, he started to sink in the sea. When he lost his eyes on Jesus, He never left him. He was there, watched, stayed and grabbed him. He didn’t use Peter’s failure as a teaching moment to the disciples. He doesn’t use our frailties to brag His power. Even when we are not faithful, God is faithful in us.
Being in a relationship for the first time and at 27 years old was so far my last significant walking on water in a stormexperience. At 25, after years of discernment, I was sure I am not for religious vocation. Therefore, being in the vocation of marriage one has to find his/her partner, the one true love. So, I started my quest in my travels, meeting new people, attending webinars on how to become more confident with men, participating in speed dating and most of all going to novena masses in St. Jude for that intention. Growing up, I’ve had personal issues with men. It took some time of spiritual healing and professional help before I involved myself with all these activities. So, after these joyous, tiring, frustrating explorations, I found someone whom I would like to get to know deeper and put down all my defenses, or better to say, someone I can be vulnerable. For so long, I knew that I was ready yet staying committed was another story. My default was to run away from stressful situations. I was afraid. The fears and pessimism outlived the excitement of having a boyfriend for the first time. Nonetheless, I heard God speaking to me, I thought you want to have a family? Why worry so much? Here’s a man I have prepared for you.
Like Peter, I was scared of sinking. I have lots of what ifs and doubts. Nevertheless, I went off the boat and walked anyway. Our relationship is almost three years now. So far, it is like Philippine storms, at times it is still then the next day it would feel destructive. Unmet expectations and individual differences challenges each of our persons and our relationship. Yet most of the time, in humble gratitude and awe, I am seeing Jesus in him nearly every day. Life is happier with him around and I am growing gracefully in this aspect. When I allowed God’s standards to be my standards, he is faithful to His promises.
Jesus wants us all to walk toward Him, in faith, on the “water” of our life. He wants us to cast aside our fears and commit to Him with a deep-seated faith. We are all like St. Peter, we want to walk on the water toward Jesus but the winds of doubt blend with the inner chaos of our own hearts, and the circumstances of our own life, our faith gets affected. Peter’s faith was tested – as ours is – everyday. All we have to do is ask, call out and pray. Maybe the reason why Jesus called Peter from the boat was to serve as a witness to the Church that accomplishing our mission in the midst of the storms of our lives is not in vain and promises are yet to be fulfilled.
Peter in his human weakness doubted Jesus, in his fear, he started to sink in the sea. When he lost his eyes on Jesus, He never left him. He was there, watched, stayed and grabbed him. He didn’t use Peter’s failure as a teaching moment to the disciples. He doesn’t use our frailties to brag His power. Even when we are not faithful, God is faithful in us.
Being in a relationship for the first time and at 27 years old was so far my last significant walking on water in a stormexperience. At 25, after years of discernment, I was sure I am not for religious vocation. Therefore, being in the vocation of marriage one has to find his/her partner, the one true love. So, I started my quest in my travels, meeting new people, attending webinars on how to become more confident with men, participating in speed dating and most of all going to novena masses in St. Jude for that intention. Growing up, I’ve had personal issues with men. It took some time of spiritual healing and professional help before I involved myself with all these activities. So, after these joyous, tiring, frustrating explorations, I found someone whom I would like to get to know deeper and put down all my defenses, or better to say, someone I can be vulnerable. For so long, I knew that I was ready yet staying committed was another story. My default was to run away from stressful situations. I was afraid. The fears and pessimism outlived the excitement of having a boyfriend for the first time. Nonetheless, I heard God speaking to me, I thought you want to have a family? Why worry so much? Here’s a man I have prepared for you.
Like Peter, I was scared of sinking. I have lots of what ifs and doubts. Nevertheless, I went off the boat and walked anyway. Our relationship is almost three years now. So far, it is like Philippine storms, at times it is still then the next day it would feel destructive. Unmet expectations and individual differences challenges each of our persons and our relationship. Yet most of the time, in humble gratitude and awe, I am seeing Jesus in him nearly every day. Life is happier with him around and I am growing gracefully in this aspect. When I allowed God’s standards to be my standards, he is faithful to His promises.
Jesus wants us all to walk toward Him, in faith, on the “water” of our life. He wants us to cast aside our fears and commit to Him with a deep-seated faith. We are all like St. Peter, we want to walk on the water toward Jesus but the winds of doubt blend with the inner chaos of our own hearts, and the circumstances of our own life, our faith gets affected. Peter’s faith was tested – as ours is – everyday. All we have to do is ask, call out and pray. Maybe the reason why Jesus called Peter from the boat was to serve as a witness to the Church that accomplishing our mission in the midst of the storms of our lives is not in vain and promises are yet to be fulfilled.
Prayer
Father God,
Thank You for the gift of faith. Thank You for assuring us of Your love and providence. Strengthen our faith, O Lord. There are a lot of times that we get weak especially when things seem uncertain and when the world seems to tell us it is impossible. But Father God, we also know that with You, anything is possible. May we always believe in that with all our heart so we can serve You more and we may serve You well. All this we ask in Jesus name and with the intercession of Mary, our mother. Amen.
Thank You for the gift of faith. Thank You for assuring us of Your love and providence. Strengthen our faith, O Lord. There are a lot of times that we get weak especially when things seem uncertain and when the world seems to tell us it is impossible. But Father God, we also know that with You, anything is possible. May we always believe in that with all our heart so we can serve You more and we may serve You well. All this we ask in Jesus name and with the intercession of Mary, our mother. Amen.
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