The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today suggest that contemplation of election and theophany in salvation history will enrich our relationship with God.
Spiritual encounter
In the reading from the First Book of Kings, Elijah meets God at Horeb.
* [19:11–13] To “stand before the Lord” is a literal translation of a Hebrew idiom meaning “to serve the Lord”; Elijah has used this idiom twice before to describe himself as the Lord’s servant (17:1; 18:15). The Lord’s command, then, means that Elijah is to take up once again the prophetic service to which he has been appointed. The Lord’s question, “Why are you here?” (v. 9, repeated in v. 13), could imply an accusation that he is abandoning his prophetic office. In v. 15, the Lord tells him to go back.1
Psalm 85 is a prayer for the restoration of God’s favour.
* [85:9] The prophet listens to God’s revelation, cf. Heb 2:1.2
The reading from the Letter of Paul to the Romans relates God's election of Israel.
* [9:1–5] The apostle speaks in strong terms of the depth of his grief over the unbelief of his own people. He would willingly undergo a curse himself for the sake of their coming to the knowledge of Christ (Rom 9:3; cf. Lv 27:28–29). His love for them derives from God’s continuing choice of them and from the spiritual benefits that God bestows on them and through them on all of humanity (Rom 9:4–5).3
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus walks on the water.
* [14:22–33] The disciples, laboring against the turbulent sea, are saved by Jesus. For his power over the waters, see note on Mt 8:26. Here that power is expressed also by his walking on the sea (Mt 14:25; cf. Ps 77:20; Jb 9:8). Matthew has inserted into the Marcan story (Mk 6:45–52) material that belongs to his special traditions on Peter (Mt 14:28–31).4
Kyle Lierk imagines Elijah and Peter would have something to say to us today.
Here we are, experiencing the storm of this global pandemic that has caused a deep disruption in our lives, especially those marginalized populations who are most heavily impacted by the virus. They may even have something to say to us in the United States as we more honestly face the damaging winds, shaky ground, and destructive fire that is systemic racism. Fear has set in, folks! Fear that the virus has forced us out of the world as we knew it into an unknown future. Fear that the dismantling of racist policy, systems, and structures will force many of us out of our boats of privilege and onto an unfamiliar landscape of racial equity. Fear that our country will continue to divide itself even further. But notice when God and Jesus show up and where they stand: amidst the chaos, within moments of confusion, standing in the deeper place beyond the fallacy we create that we are in control and beyond what feels comfortable (and actually, ironically, ends up confining us).5
Don Schwager quotes “Welcoming the Lord Jesus with expectant faith and humility,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
"While human praise does not tempt the Lord, people are often ruffled and nearly entranced by human praise and honors in the church. Peter was afraid on the sea, terrified by the great force of the storm. Indeed, who does not fear that voice: 'Those who say you are happy place you in error and disturb the path of your feet' (Isaiah 3:12 Vulgate translation)? And since the soul struggles against the desire for human praise, it is good for it to turn to prayer and petition amid such danger, lest one who is charmed by praise be overcome by criticism and reproach. Let Peter, about to sink in the waves, cry out and say, 'Lord, save me!' The Lord reached out his hand. He chided Peter, saying, 'O man of little faith, why did you doubt?' - that is, why did you not, gazing straight at the Lord as you approached, pride yourself only in him? Nevertheless he snatched Peter from the waves and did not allow him who was declaring his weakness and asking the Lord for help to perish." (excerpt from SERMON 75:10)6
Friar Jude Winkler compares the theophany of Moses and Elijah. He notes that Paul cared deeply for the people of Israel. Friar Jude reminds us that like Peter, our full life involves taking risks.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, teaches that to grow toward love, union, salvation, or enlightenment, we must be moved from Order to Disorder and then ultimately to Reorder.
A sense of order is the easiest and most natural way to begin; it is a needed first “container.” I cannot think of a culture in human history, before the present postmodern era, that did not value law, tradition, custom, family loyalties, authority, boundaries, and morality of some clear sort. While they aren’t perfect, these containers give us the necessary security, predictability, impulse control, and ego structure that we need, before the chaos of real life shows up. As far as I can see it, healthily conservative people tend to grow up more naturally and more happily than those who receive only freeform, build-it-yourself worldviews.We need a very strong container to hold the contents and contradictions that arrive later in life. We ironically need a very strong ego structure to let go of our ego. We need to struggle with the rules more than a bit before we throw them out. We only internalize values by butting up against external values for a while. All this builds the strong self that can positively follow Jesus—and “die to itself.” [1]7
The people of God in our boat on turbulent seas can focus on our relationship with Christ to build faith and reject fear.
References
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