Readings: 1 Kings 19, 9-13; Psalm 85, Lord, let us see your Kindness, and grant us you Salavation; Romans 9, 1-5; Matthew 14, 22-33
Intro to Readings, Fr. Tony
Our first reading today is from the First Book of Kings. These two books were mainly written to describe the period right after the reign of King David. They cover Solomon, the division of the kingdom at his death into Northern and Southern kingdoms and subsequent kings until both kingdoms are overrun and the people are taken into captivity. But in the middle we have a whole section on prophets, primarily Elijah and Elisha.
Today’s reading is rather fascinating. The prophet Elijah is in a cave, he has been told that Yahweh is coming. Given the experiences when the king arrived, the expectation is for a big fanfare, at least a motorcade! But that is not what happens. Keep this in mind when we get to the homily. Let’s listen to the reading!
Homily
As you well know by now, each of the gospels were written for a particular audience and at a particular time in history. But as Christians we believe that God’s Word is just as pertinent for us today as it was for those early Christians they were originally written for. Today’s gospel is a perfect example of this. Remember the discussion we have had before about the synoptic gospels, namely that Mark wrote the first gospel, then Matthew and Luke both copied from Mark and added some other material. Each writer had a specific audience they were writing for and a specific purpose for their writing. The story of Jesus walking on the water and calming the sea, which we have just read, is also in Mark’s Gospel (Mk 6; 45-52) and in both gospels it comes right after the feeding of the multitude. Matthew adds a little bit to the story, namely Peter’s walking on the water. But there are other more significant differences. Throughout Mark’s gospel, the disciples are presented as being blind to who Jesus is. In fact this story in Mark’s gospel ends with the comment “they were utterly and completely dumbfounded, their minds were closed” (Mk 6: 52). In Matthew’s gospel the reaction is completely different. Matthew tells us “they bowed down before him and said, ‘truly you are the Son of God’”
I mention the two gospel accounts for a reason. In Mark’s gospel the disciples are blind to who Jesus is - their minds are closed. In Matthew, while they “have little faith”, remember Jesus said that to them in today’s reading, that little faith is enough for them to bow down and adore. I know that in my own life I sometimes feel like I have very little faith, I am grateful to be able to be here each week and have that little bit strengthened and confirmed, by your presence and by our celebration of the Eucharist. What I find most interesting is if we go to the end of Mark’s gospel. By the way, there are two endings, the first ending (Mk 16: 8) which was probably the original ending, it is Easter Sunday morning, we find the story of the women being told by the young man in a white robe that Jesus is not there, that he has gone before them to Galilee. They ran away, frightened “for they were afraid”. What a way for it to end. Their minds were closed, they could never see Jesus for who he really was, they don’t appear at this time to even have a “little faith” and they end up afraid. Matthew ends his gospel with the disciples on the mountain with Jesus at his ascension. (Matt 28: 16ff). Again they bow down and adore him, and Matthew uses the exact same word as he used for “adore” as when they were in the boat, and Jesus ends the gospel commenting on their “little faith” but that they should “know that I am with you always, even to the ends of time”. In other words the little bit of faith was enough.
I take great encouragement from this. My sense is that most of the time I have a little faith. I do my best to believe, and it seems that it is enough to know that Jesus has promised to be with me always. The alternative, the blindness of Marks disciples is stark, one is left in fear!
Our presence here today has to be due to a little faith. Then know that you are not alone. Remember the promise, I am with you always, even to the ends of time!
Picture 1: Mass begins with Tony
Picture 2: Our Father
Picture 3: Communion
Picture 4: Leo
Picture 5: Ryan collecting the books after Mass with mom & dad behind, Jim & Michelle
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