August 13, 2023

Sister Therese O’Grady, OSB shares a reflection on the scripture readings: 1 Kings 19:9a, 11-13a; Romans 9:1-5; Matthew 14:22-33

1 Kings 19:9a, 11-13a

Elijah went into the cave and spent the night in it. Then the Word of Yahweh came to him saying, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

Then he was told, “Go out and stand on the mountain before Yahweh!” Then Yahweh himself went by.

There came a mighty wind so strong it tore the mountains and shattered the rocks before Yahweh. But Yahweh was not in the wind.

After the wind, earthquake but Yahweh was not in the earthquake.

After the earthquake came a fire but Yahweh was not in the fire.

And after the fire there came the sound of a gentle breeze. And when Elijah heard this, he covered his face with a cloak. He went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.

Then a voice came to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

Matthew 14:22-33

Jesus dismissed the crowds and went up the mountain to pray alone. He was alone at prayer for a long time, till evening and the morning’s fourth watch. This was his business in solitude: to pray.

Christ has set an example of secret prayer and the performance of it secretly. In Matthew 6:6, “When you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you.”

When the disciples went to sea, Jesus went to prayer. He made the disciples get into a boat; until they were gone, the people would not disperse. Why did they get in a boat? Jesus commanded it.

It was a stormy, tempestuous night. Jesus continued in prayer. Is this why we have to endure a tempestuous time? We have to wait until Jesus finishes his prayer?

Did Jesus foresee the storm and sent his disciples in the boat anyway? Don’t take it personally! Christ intends to manifest himself with more wonderful grace TO them and FOR them. From Psalm 46, “We shall not fear though the Earth should rock, though the mountains quake to the heart of the sea. Be still and know that I am God.”

Fears were raised. The more we are acquainted with God and the more careful we are to keep ourselves in His love, the better we shall be at dealing with these fears.

How did Jesus silence their fears? He delayed his help for some time but then, he hastened his help against their fear. He stilled the storm with his words, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

If Christ’s disciples are not courageous in a storm, it is their own fault. He would have them so. Don’t be afraid of me now that you know it is I. Christ will not be a terror to those to whom he manifests himself. Nothing must be a terror to those who have Christ near them and know he is theirs, not even death itself.

Peter said, “Tell me to come to you.” What was Peter’s cowardice and Christ’s reproving and helping him about? Christ told him so he would know Christ’s power and his own weakness and fear.

In the hour of the disciples need, Jesus came to them. When the wind was contrary, Jesus came to them (granted, there was a small delay)!

Have you ever been afraid? I mean, really afraid? What did you do? Did you scream? Did your body tremble or were you just comatose? Did you pray? Like Peter? “Save me, Lord!”

Did the situation change? Right away? Did someone say to you, “Don’t be afraid!?!” Did you hear someone say, “Take heart! It is I?”

One time, I was driving to Santa Fe with Sister Joseph Marie. It was raining, and we were outside of Santa Fe about 30 miles. Though it was raining hard, I put on the brakes (yep! – I started sliding). We slid to the median, rolled three times, and landed on the wheels. My hands were still on the steering wheel. Cars stopped, and people came to the car asking if we were all right. Was that Jesus? The top of my head hurt and Sister Joseph Marie was ok. We were both ok, but they took us to a hospital in Santa Fe anyway.

Was I afraid? I don’t know what my feelings were! I was completely baffled, wondering what just happened? Had I never heard of hydroplaning? But Jesus came to my window!

Reference: Zondervan NIV Matthew Henry Commentary. 1999. Pg 76-77.