Where have we placed our faith (Sunday, Week 19, Year A)

In the first reading, Elijah was on the run after slaughtering the prophets of Baal in 1 Kings 18. Jezebel wanted to snuff out his life. When he got to Mount Horeb (some versions of the Bible describe it as Mount Sinai), his strength couldn’t carry him further; and so he sought refuge in a cave. Remember that it was on this same mountain in Exodus 19:16-18 that God revealed himself to the people of Israel in rumbles of thunder, lightning, fire and earthquakes. It was also on the same mountain in Exodus 3:1 that God revealed himself to Moses in fire (the burning bush experience). Again, Israel dwelt among nations that claim that their gods can also reveal themselves in fire, wind, earthquake and other natural elements. What we have in the person of Elijah is a man who has grown with a certain belief, knowledge and conviction that God can only reveal Himself in nature, in natural elements of fire, thunder, lightning, earthquakes, etc. It is even interesting to know that these elements (of fire, thunder, wind and earthquake) are naturally vigorous, forceful, stormy, sometimes destructive, violent and turbulent when they are in action. 

Now, in the cave, desirous to encounter God and possibly converse with Him, Elijah sought Him in those violent natural elements: stormy wind, fire, and earthquake; but did not find Him. Where did he find and encounter God at last? In stillness, in silence, in calmness when he heard “a STILL SMALL voice”! It was at this point in time that Elijah, who was about to give up and yield to defeat, received a message that solidified his faith and strengthened him to go back and face his mission and challenges as a prophet. A great lesson for us here: God does not only reveal Himself in storms, wind, thunder, lightning, fire and earthquakes; so when we focus on the storms, violence and turbulence of life, we may not understand God. But when we remain still and silent in faith, we can hear Him and understand Him better. That is why God tells us in Psalm 46:10 to “be still and know that He is God”. 

There are two words in the gospel that should ordinarily generate fear and trepidation: the words are “sea” and “night”. For the Jews, the “sea” is the abode of the devil and his cohorts. By nature, the “night or nighttime” is a period of darkness; and “darkness” is synonymous with evil and negativity. When the violent storm arose in the sea, the disciples of Jesus being Jews thought that the devil and his agents were up for duty and out to destroy. They became afraid. They became more afraid when they saw someone walking on the sea towards them; and they thought that it was a ghost. Remember: all these were happening at “night”. The whole experience was a bitter experience of fear. The narrative of fear was changed when Jesus who they thought was a ghost said to them, “Courage, it is I; I am; Do not be afraid”. Remember that in Exodus 3:14, God revealed His name to Moses as “I am”. So, Jesus told them that He is God; He is coming to them; He is with them; they should not be afraid. As usual, Peter said, “Lord, if it is you, bid me come to you on the water”. At the Lord’s invitation, Peter stepped out in faith focusing on Jesus; but when he focused on the wind and the turbulence, fear gripped him and he began to sink. 

When our lives are shattered and battered by the storms of life, God, the Great “I am”, comes to us to show that He is present, that He is with us to save us. And He expects us not to fear, but to focus on Him; to trust Him; and to believe in Him. But when we take our eyes off God, off Jesus our Savior, and choose to focus on the storms, turbulence and difficulties of life, we will be gripped by fear and will surely begin to sink just like Peter. In the second reading (Romans 9:1-5), St Paul talked about his own storms; but he was strengthened by the fact that he also belongs to a people to whom belong the sonship, the covenant, the promises, and so on. Having remembered that he is a son to God the Father, a child of promise and the covenant, just like every other Jew, he did not allow himself to drown in the storms and difficulties of life. 

Let us work on our faith perspectives! It will be more fulfilling and liberating for us if we begin to focus more intently on God, accept and better appreciate the fact that God is bigger and more powerful than our storms. If we focus on the turbulence of the storm, we will sink. But if we focus more intently on the presence of God that saves, we will triumph.