August 12th 2023. The Nineteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time
GOSPEL: Matthew 14, 22-33
Translated from a homily by Don Fabio Rosini broadcast on Vatican Radio
Don Fabio’s homily follows the Gospel
GOSPEL: Matthew 14, 22-33
After he had fed the people, Jesus made the disciples get into a boat
and precede him to the other side,
while he dismissed the crowds.
After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray.
When it was evening he was there alone.
Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore,
was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it.
During the fourth watch of the night,
he came toward them walking on the sea.
When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified.
"It is a ghost," they said, and they cried out in fear.
At once Jesus spoke to them, "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid."
Peter said to him in reply,
"Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water."
He said, "Come."
Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus.
But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened;
and, beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!"
Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught Peter,
and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"
After they got into the boat, the wind died down.
Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying,
"Truly, you are the Son of God."
The Gospel of the Lord: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ
On this Nineteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time, we explore an important theme in the Liturgy. We delve into the account of the disciples' journey across the sea, where Jesus joins them by walking on water. We also explore the poignant moment when Peter himself steps onto the water, with his eyes fixed on Jesus.
This gospel is thoughtfully complemented by the first reading. As usual, the first reading offers a lens through which we can interpret the Gospel of the day. In this instance, the first reading recounts Elijah's encounter with God on Mount Horeb, synonymous with Mount Sinai. This pivotal moment marks a transition in Elijah's prophetic journey. It signifies his preparation to embark on a new season, one characterised by greater vitality and courage, following a period of trials and even persecution.
How do these two texts intertwine? To fully grasp the essence of this Gospel, it's imperative to understand its underlying theme. Jesus urges his disciples to board the boat and set sail ahead of him, destined for the opposite shore. The motif of crossing the sea takes centre stage. This theme holds significant weight throughout scripture as it symbolises traversing boundaries. Crossing the sea mirrors the concept of Passover, the act of departing from a realm of bondage by miraculously navigating through the waters – a tempestuous and untamable element that, in biblical context, often signifies death (as seen in the story of the flood). It's reminiscent of the primordial waters, which withheld the gift of life until they receded, as well as the story of Jacob crossing the Jabbok River, a profound moment that led to a transformative change, reflected in his altered name.
In life, too, we often encounter such pivotal junctures – fords that demand crossing, changes that compel us to journey beyond, new phases we must accept.
Indeed, even in the first reading, Elijah undergoes a profound change through his encounter with God. This divine meeting marks the pivotal moment for a new prophetic journey. Life presents us with countless junctures—instances when we must transition from childhood to adulthood, times of embarking on new chapters, like marriage, dedication, surrender, and embracing a mission or calling. These moments push us beyond our comfort zones, urging us into uncharted territory, into the realm of the unfamiliar, change, and metamorphosis. We're well aware that this voyage can be both intimidating and imperative. Change is an intrinsic part of life; failing to adapt could lead us to become a mere shadow of our genuine selves, a superficial representation of the inner beauty within us.
Similarly, Jesus compels His disciples to confront change and transition, a challenge they directly experience. Indeed, the term "compel" is used, suggesting an element of urgency. The fishermen are accustomed to the frequent nighttime storms that arise on the Sea of Galilee due to local weather patterns. This remains true today, with currents converging at the lake's centre, presenting such challenges. The disciples squarely face this adversity.
With any big change, a trial inevitably emerges—a loss, the conquering of a mindset, maturity, the acquisition of new habits, a renewed perspective on life, confronting novel circumstances, a fresh living environment, a different phase of existence. As we navigate these waters of change, we realise that the Lord treads upon these trials. We come to comprehend that He is greater than any of our fears; if God is God, no greater power exists. He is fully capable of mastering any situation. The disciples experienced fear while they were in the boat, but Jesus reassured them, saying, "Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid." The crux of dispelling fear lies in this: "It is I." This phrase is more than just a superficial acknowledgment using the verb "to be." No, it is the name of God, the ineffable, His very identity. I am, God is, God is reality, God acts, God saves us. This reality emerges—that God's power is greater than anything we fear.
In life, we often magnify what we serve, elevating it above God—our idols, our fears, our attachments. In a dream of St. Francis, God asked: “What holds more value, serving the servant or the master?” The master should be served, not the servant. Yet, frequently we serve the servant. We should serve the master, and follow the master's lead, not the servant's. Here, we encounter Peter, propelled by his enthusiasm, requesting to partake in this experience. This, truly, is an authentic transformation—the instance when we stride beyond our fears: "Command me to come to you on the water." Essentially, it is God who can incite us to surmount these challenges. Peter steps out of the boat because Jesus beckons him. Jesus awaits us on the waters of our fears and calls to us, saying, "Come." In this Gospel, He reassures us that He is with us, inviting us to advance toward Him, to align ourselves with His divine will, to embark on life as He intends.
Peter is weak, as we all are. He becomes fearful and begins to sink, crying out, "Lord, save me." This image embodies both prayer and our human frailty. Peter can't make it on his own. He needs to be saved. If he looks at the wind, the wind is stronger than he is. If he looks at the wind, he isn't looking at Jesus. The wind appears to be the only thing that exists. But Jesus is always there. Jesus reaches out his hand and grasps him. It means that they were close, it means they were even far from the boat, it means that Peter had somehow walked that far. So, why did Peter doubt, even though he had already walked on the water? This also applies to us. How many times has God already worked in our lives? How many times has He shown us His power? Why do we still doubt? How many times have we seen his providence accompany us? Why are we still afraid?
In the next trial that you experience, look at how you’ve already been supported by God's Providence and by His fatherhood up to this point. Let's not doubt, let's truly recognize that He is the Son of God. Let God show us His power over the sea, as He steps into our boat, into our lives. What is the boat? Peter has to leave the boat, which represents his way of weathering the storm, of surviving the fears of life, and walk towards Jesus. This is an experience we must all undergo in order to truly live, in order to walk on the water. We must abandon our own solutions and instead we must attempt to walk on the word of Christ. This is what changes everything and makes life truly beautiful.
All of us are called to something great and beautiful, but we're in our boat. The Lord's words often fill us with fear, and His calling may sometimes seem like a threat. Thus, we can understand why there are few vocations, why so many people remain on their boats, clinging to their defences against life's challenges and refusing to let go. We need to showcase individuals who walk on water, so that others might have the courage to step out. We need to exhibit many Christians who stride upon the very things that terrify others. That's why life often compels us, just as it did with Jesus and His disciples, to walk amidst storms, to live within tempests. The storm is where we encounter the Lord, who is always mightier than our fear.
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