HOMILY FOR NINETEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR A. 09.08.2020.

Readings: 1Kings 19:9.11-13; Psalm 85; Roman 9:1-5 and Matthew 14:22-33. 

DO NOT BE AFRAID! 

On this day, the nineteenth Sunday in ordinary time, the Holy Mother Church calls us to reflect on fears as it has eaten us deeply. Many of us are now living in fears; it is so sad that we are even afraid in the presence of God. We are afraid of not being victims in any forms, we are afraid of the present pandemic in the world, we are afraid of compliance to government policies as regards opening of religious centers, we are afraid of going to church. It is so bad that we are more afraid of man and his policies than God, and more afraid of death than God. If we can comply with government policy, how much more do we comply with the policy of God?

 

In the first reading, we read of the fear of Elijah, which made him to hide in the cave. In the antecedence to this pericope, “King Ahab and Jezebel expressed their intention to take the life of Elijah as they did to other prophets and Elijah became afraid and fled for his life, making a journey of forty days and forty nights to Horeb, where he hid himself in the cave” (1Kings 19:1-3). In verse 10, we hear the prophet saying, “…I am the only one left and now they want to kill me.” In fear, he ran to the mountain of God to seek refuge, to Horeb where God revealed himself to Moses as seen in Exodus 3 and 33:18-34:9. On this note, “Moses and Elijah have in common theophany or manifestation at Horeb; both also witness the transfiguration of the Lord” which was celebrated on Thursday last week.

 

While Elijah was in the cave, God manifested himself to him in an unusual way, quite different from what we have in Exodus 19. In this manifestation, the great and strong wind (storm), the earthquake and the fire heralds the coming of God, which was in a still small voice. A voice that speaks to the heart of Elijah not to be afraid; a voice that restores his peace. In view of this, the psalmist says, “I will hear what the Lord God speaks; he speaks of peace for his people and his faithful.” In a similar way, we read in the gospel, how Christ restored peace to the hearts Peter and the other disciples while they were in fears.

 

The gospel present to us Christ’s manifestation to his disciples, as he came to them, walking on the sea. In the reading, “When the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, ‘It is a ghost!’ and they cried out for fear.” At this point, we hear the voice of Christ saying, “Take heart, it is I; have no fear.” When this initial fear was conquered, Peter was able to act like his Master, he got out of the boat and was walking on the sea towards Christ. But when he saw the WIND, he was afraid and began to sink. Peter realized he can do nothing without Christ and so he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Immediately, Christ saved him. This helps us to reflect on how often we walk or attempt to walk without Christ. For fear of Ahab and Jezebel, Elijah ran to the mountain of God, and while fear griped Peter, he cried out for Christ to save him. For us, to whom do we run to when we are engulfed in fears, particularly, this period our hearts are in troubles as regards compliances to the restrictions placed on our liturgical celebrations? Where do we anchor our boats when strong wind hits us hard, as compared to this pandemic and government policies?

 

In all these, let us act like St. Paul who is ready to give up his life if it will help his brother, seeking the good interest of others and not their predicaments. He said, “I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.” He had this feelings because he saw the separation of his people Israel from God of which he had earlier raised questions on who/what can separate us from the love of God. In our case, could the strong wind of our time lead us to fear and separate us from God?

 

In a nutshell, let us continue to comply and adhere to the guiding principles for our safety and our liturgical celebrations, let this not be in fears but having in mind, the good and safety of all around us. Let us continue to extend our hands like Peter in prayers, that our Lord will save us from this terrifying time, this strong wind of pandemics and its accessories tossing our faith in God through Christ our Lord. Amen! Peace be with you!

 

Happy Sunday

Fr. Ken Dogbo, OSJ