19^th Sunday in O.T. (A); Aug. 13, 2017

1 Kgs 19:9-13a;   Ps 85   Rom 9:1-5   Mt 14:22-33

Deacon Jim McFadden; (New) Folsom Prison

 

            It’s difficult for most of us to be still. We’re surrounded by a wall of endless chatter, small talk, off-the-cuff remarks that have no beginning and no end. Then, there’s the talk of intrigue, plots, what-if scenarios that suck us into a mind-numbing vortex. It’s not only external distractions that we have to deal with: the white noise that dwells within our own mind—that incessant flow of one distracting thought after another makes us feel that we’re like a monkey bouncing off one side of the cage to another. The need for constant “communication” can be suffocating, which creates these barriers between ourselves and God and each other. Today’s readings invite us to enter into spaces of silence, where it is easier to hear the One who is constantly communicating his divine love to us.

In the first reading, Elijah is on the lam and afraid for his life. After he slaughtered 500 of the Queen Jezebel’s prophets, she was out for blood. During his flight he got so discouraged that he plopped himself down by a broom tree and asked God to let him die. Life was just too hard to go any further. Haven’t we all had that feeling at one time in our life?   But, God has other plans for Elijah, just as he has for you and I. First, an angel sent by God fortifies him with food and drink. Thus strengthen, he begins a 40 day trek to Mount Horeb, the same mountain that Moses received the Ten Commandments.

Elijah climbs the mountain. He goes to that place that connects him with the God of Moses; he goes to his roots where the covenant bonds between God and his Chosen People were forged. Elijah was seeking intimate contract with God. He needed to feel connected with the Lord if he was to continue his arduous journey. He wanted God to show himself. There then appeared a devouring fire just like the flames that engulfed the Burning Bush but did not consume it. God was not there. Nor, did Elijah encounter God in the fierce, roaring wind or an earthquake. God would not come to him via spectacular special effects. Instead, God came as “a tiny whispering sound” or, in another translation, as “a sound of sheer silence.”

 

            What’s going on here? In order to come into God’s presence, we have to be still. We have ask ourselves whether our thoughts, choices, actions are leading us to fulfill our deepest desire to be in communion with God and to do God’s purposes or are they driving us away into the wilderness of distraction. Elijah was still and in that encounter with God he was strengthened for the remainder of his prophetic mission.

In the Gospel, we see Jesus likewise retreat to a mountain by himself to pray, following the noisiness and clamor of feeding 5,000 people and learning of the death of his cousin, John the Baptist. But, the crowds find him and he breaks out of his solitude to respond compassionately to their needs.

As the Gospel story unfolds, Jesus retreats again. Even at night the people’s need for him doesn’t ease. Moreover, his disciples are in distress on their boat, which is being buffeted by strong winds. This scene is so rich with meaning. The early Fathers of the Church saw the sea as being representative of life and the instability of the visible world. Imagine the sea of Folsom Prison. The storm points to every kind of trial and difficulty that oppress human beings. Striving to live a life of integrity behind these walls is a challenge as you are being tested every day. But, you are not alone because the boat represents the Church, built by Christ and steered by the Apostles and their successors. By virtue of your baptism, you are an integral member of the Church family.

The disciples are in distress, but Jesus does not go to them until the fourth and final watch of the night, roughly about three hours before dawn. We can surmise that Jesus was aware of the strong winds that were tossing them about. But, he remained in solitude, in that necessary inner stillness, where he experienced oneness with God. Strengthened by that intimacy with the Father, he then compassionately ministers to his disciples.

Coming to them at last, he challenges them not to be afraid and invites them to share his fearlessness. This gospel was written thirty or so years after Jesus was executed and although life can be very hard, the Church returns to our still Center, which is the heart of Jesus. As we dwell within Him, he can do through us that which seems impossible. As Peter, the first Pope of the Church, was floundering in the sea, Jesus stretched out his hand to him just as he does to you. Peter grasped his hand to come closer to Jesus and, as he did, he found his true Center, where Jesus’ contagious courage dispels all fear. He did it with Peter and he can do it for you if you let Him.