Breaking Open the Word
August 9 - 19th Sunday Ordinary Time
Introduction
For centuries Christianity has proclaimed that our almighty God chooses to be with humankind, to commune with us, to love and move among us, to be near, to abide, to be present whether embraced or not, in peace, as well as in panic. Although other motives (the covenant, the love of God, the Word, the mercy of God, the law) have been suggested as being the central themes in Holy Scripture, the concept of the presence of God is central to all other themes and the basis in which all find their root. To think of God as merely a noun is incomplete. A verb seems more descriptive of the dynamic Divine presence, ever communing, ever revealing, ever abiding, ever calling, ever drawing near. However, perhaps the proposition with is most appropriate…for God is WITH us! An accurate description of God can only be accomplished using all parts of speech!
This Sunday’s first reading relates the experience of the prophet Elijah who sought and realized the presence of God in the peaceful silence of Horeb (Sinai). Peter and the disciples experienced the presence of God in the person of Jesus whose power over the sea calmed their panic and fostered their faith. Paul, in the second reading from Romans, lamented the fact that many of his fellow Israelites had not come to know the saving presence of God as he had on the road to Damascus.
This Sunday we gather as God’s people to be nourished and formed as witnesses of His abiding presence. This is cause for celebration because in peace as well as in panic God is always with us.
Gospel Explained
It is a common occurrence for storms to spring up suddenly on the Sea of Galilee. This storm occurred during the fourth watch of the night. Sometime after the Roman occupation of the region, which began in 63 BC, the Jews abandoned their three night-watches in favor of the Roman four-night-watches. The Roman night watches were seasonal hours that ran from approximately sundown/6 PM-9 PM, from 9 PM to midnight, from midnight to 3 AM, and from 3 AM to dawn. A trumpet blast called the "cockcrow" announced the end of the third and the beginning of the fourth watch.
Jesus’ power over the stormy sea was revealed earlier in Matthew’s gospel (8:23-27); there Jesus caused His disciples to marvel, “What sort of man is this?” But in this gospel, Jesus is portrayed as walking on the sea, a power which previously had been attributed only to God Himself. Jesus defied the laws of nature by walking on the waters of the stormy sea. Since this was an impossible act for an ordinary human, the disciples thought they saw a ghost. Jesus calmed their fears by calling out “It is I” or EGO AMI, I AM. In the Old Testament Greek translation of the Septuagint, the expression Ego Ami functioned as the Divine Name of God. Jesus’ actions and His title manifested the presence of God to the disciples. It was an epiphany moment for His followers.
Jesus used two statements of encouragement like bookends to surround His title. "Courage!" and "Don't be afraid!" were meant to reassure the disciples. God called His people to faith in His presence, not to despair. When Jesus used this language, He also revealed His divine power and called His followers to faith.
Today's Theme
The disciples reacted to Jesus in two ways. First, Peter tested Jesus when he asked Jesus to help him walk on water (in other words, to share in Jesus' divine power). At first, Peter was successful, but when he took his eyes off Jesus to look at the stormy sea, he became frightened and began to sink into the churning water. Peter had two choices: he could try to swim back to the boat or call upon Jesus to save him. Evidence of Peter's faith in Jesus and Jesus's divine identity is revealed in Peter crying out to Jesus to save him. St. John Chrysostom and St. Augustine identify Peter's appeal to Jesus as an act of repentance, for which Jesus rewarded him with salvation.
Jesus did not so much give Peter a rebuke as a teaching moment, telling him in times of peril not to doubt but believe. It may be significant that this revelation of Jesus's divine nature occurred at the hour of "cockcrow" at 3 AM. It was the same time that Peter would deny Jesus for the third time while the Jewish Sanhedrin was holding Jesus's trial and condemning Him to death. Jesus constantly reminds His disciples to trust Him especially in times of peril.
The disciples reacted to the Lord in the second way. With the power of God so close, they bowed in worship. The point of focus shifted to the most powerful entity present. The power of the Lord replaced the power of the storm. This miracle reminds us that faith remains a relationship between God and us, His people. Despite trouble, God will always be present. We must simply stop and acknowledge His presence and act upon it.
Each of our readings today assures us of God's continuing faithfulness, love, and protection as we make our way through the storms of life. When we take our focus off Christ and attempt to struggle through our difficulties on our own and begin to falter, He is ready to reach out His hand of salvation to pull us out of the swirling abyss of sin into His loving arms. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is our lifeline; we must remember to be like St. Peter as he sank below the waters of the sea and to cry out to Christ to save us!
Theme in our Life Today
In our readings, we have the assurance that God makes Himself present to His faithful amid frightening and unsettling events. In the First Reading, the prophet Elijah felt he had failed in his mission to call the covenant people to repentance. He sank into a deep depression and asked God to let him die. God took pity on His prophet and gave him the strength and encouragement he needed through an intimate encounter with God's Divine Presence. It is the same way God welcomes us to come to Him and receive comfort and reassurance when we feel alone and afflicted, facing struggles in our lives.
The Responsorial Psalm tells us that God's salvation is near to those who keep their trust and hope in Him. God revealed Himself to the children of Israel as the One abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness who offered the promise of salvation beyond their earthly lives. The Fathers of the Church saw in God's promise of future salvation the Incarnation of the Divine Word, the union of God with human nature in Jesus Christ.
In the second reading, St. Paul wrote of enduring the pain of persecution he experienced from his Jewish countrymen for the sake of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. When we face trials and suffering on our faith journeys through life, we must trust that God, who has called us to walk His path to eternal salvation, will comfort us as we struggle with disappointments and afflictions.
In the Gospel Reading, Jesus sent the disciples into a violent storm on the Sea of Galilee. He used the gale to reveal His Divine identity in His power over nature as He walked upon the sea, saved Peter from sinking into turbulent waters, and calmed the wind and the sea. We have God's assurance that we can find Him in the storms and struggles of life, especially in the trials and opposition we encounter trying to do His will. Christ continually reaches out to us all. We simply have to believe, reach out to Him in the obedience of faith, and receive His eternal salvation.
Prepare for Sunday
Take time to reflect on the following questions…
How has the Lord been close to you recently? What happened? How did God reveal "His glory" to you, even in the tough times?
How have you responded to God's presence? What is the quality of your prayer or worship of God?
Have you ever prayed for strength in the face of doubt or stress? How has God answered that prayer? Did God work through other Christians to help you?