Daily Readings - Sun Aug 13 2023
1 Kings
9There he came to a cave and lodged in it. And behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"11And he said, "Go out and stand on the mount before the LORD." And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake.12And after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper.13And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"
Romans
1I am speaking the truth in Christ--I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit--2that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.3For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh.4They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises.5To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.
Matthew
22Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds.23And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone,24but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them.25And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea.26But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, "It is a ghost!" and they cried out in fear.27But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid."28And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water."29He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus.30But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me."31Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"32And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.33And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter powerful moments of encounter with God, each inviting us to reflect on how we listen, trust, and respond to His presence in our lives. In the first reading, Elijah, fleeing from the turmoil of his mission, finds himself on Mount Horeb. The Lord is not in the dramatic wind, earthquake, or fire, but in the gentle whisper that follows. This reminds us that God often speaks in the stillness, inviting us to quiet our hearts and listen deeply. Elijah’s experience teaches us that true discernment requires patience and openness to God’s subtle presence.
The Gospel offers a complementary lesson through Peter’s encounter with Jesus on the water. Jesus, walking calmly amidst the storm, invites Peter to step out of the boat in faith. Peter’s initial courage quickly gives way to doubt as he focuses on the turbulent waves rather than the Lord. Yet, even in his faltering, Jesus reaches out, saving him and reminding him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” This moment speaks to us about the importance of trusting in God’s presence, even when the world around us seems chaotic. Like Peter, we are called to keep our eyes fixed on Christ, even when the winds of doubt and fear assail us.
Both Elijah and Peter’s stories find a bridge in Paul’s heartfelt words in the second reading. Paul’s deep sorrow for his kinsmen who have not yet come to faith in Christ reflects a love that mirrors God’s own desire for all people to be saved. His willingness to endure hardship for the sake of others reminds us that our faith is not just about personal relationship with God but also about sharing His love with others. Like Paul, we are called to intercede for those who have not yet encountered Christ, trusting that God’s whisper can reach even the hardest of hearts.
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: Where are the “storms” in our lives? Are we like Elijah, seeking God in the noise, or are we willing to listen for the gentle whisper? Are we like Peter, stepping out in faith but faltering when the waves crash? Or are we like Paul, willing to bear the burdens of others in love? May we learn to trust in God’s presence, even in the midst of turmoil, and may we share His love with a world in need of His gentle whisper.