Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Yr A

Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Yr A

13 Aug 2017

Homily

Our progression through Matthew was put out of order last Sunday with it being the Feast of the Transfiguration. Otherwise we would have heard Matthew’s account of feeding the 5,000, which today’s Gospel passage immediately succeeds.

No doubt you have heard again and again homilies where we are told the boat represents Matthew’s community or our own times, with the assurance that like here, if we just hold on we will get through it?

Or perhaps we heard how Peter was perfectly fine walking on the water – till he was distracted from looking at Jesus?

Both true, and yet…

Did you notice that both the First Reading and the Gospel God is recognised, not so much in the great power of storm and wind, but in the stillness that followed? Elijah is fleeing from Queen Jezebel’s assasins – and he is angry with God. After all, he had done all God asked him to, yet Ahab and Jezebel are still living in luxury in the royal palace and he is on the run! What was the point and justice of that!

Both these Readings remind us that God never promises that life will always be smooth sailing. Indeed, I believe that one of the strengths of our Scriptures, is that they acknowledge that there will be troubles! However, they also go on to remind us that, in the end, God is always with us.

Last week, I challenged you to find time to “step aside”, whether literally or figureatively, to spend time with God.

Today, I ask you to take time to reflect upon your life and experience; when have been the quiet times that God has invited you in to? And how did you respond?

#OrdinaryTime #Matthew #YearA #Gospel #FirstReading #Elijah #Ahab #Jezebel