Take Courage, It Is I; Do Not Be Afraid

08-13-2023Weekly ReflectionFr. Manasseh Iorchir, VC

This weekend, the Readings from Holy Scripture remind us that though we journey in a troubled world full of difficult times and experiences, God’s benevolent and reassuring presence is guaranteed for all who call onto Him for help. We are also exhorted not to be distracted by the transient and spectacular manifestation of material things in our search for purpose, but to seek the presence of God in faith.

In the First Reading, Elijah the prophet was threatened by Queen Jezebel, a foreigner and idolatress, who brought into Israel the worship of Ba’al, a foreign deity. He suffered tremendously and was on the verge of despair when he arrived at Horeb (Mount Sinai), the mountain of God where Moses encountered God. His intention was to seek the face of God in the midst of a stormy life and national situation. The prophet soon discovered that the Lord was not in the spectacular manifestations of a heavy wind, an earthquake or fire that preceded the coming of God. Rather, God came to him in a tiny whispering sound.

Like the prophet, we often seek satisfaction and fulfillment in the manifestations of substance. God is usually not in the noise around us, He can be found in the silence within us. “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). This is the mistake that Paul seems to be cautioning the people of Israel about. Instead of seeking to be justified by faith, they depend on their privilege of adoption, the covenant, worship, patriarchs, etc., to seek salvation.

In the Gospel, the Apostles saw Jesus walking on the stormy waters of the sea and Simon Peter challenged Jesus to command him to walk on the water to Him. Jesus asked him to come and Peter walked on the water towards Jesus. As long as Peter’s gaze remained fixed on Jesus, he could walk on the stormy sea. But, as soon as he allowed himself to be distracted by his consideration of the strength of the winds over the sea, he began to sink. Realizing his imminent end, Peter frantically cried out to Jesus to save him.

Walking on the sea of life as we journey in this world of pilgrimage, Jesus requires just one thing of us: to consistently, resolutely and unflinchingly set the gaze of our faith on Him. If we do, the strength of this stormy world shall never be able to drown us; but if we allow ourselves to be distracted by the things of this world (good or bad), the lure of wealth and the cares of life, we stand the risk of losing the only thing that truly matters: eternal life.

However, a slip that happens as a consequence of temporary distraction is not in itself irredeemable. Jesus is always there to lift us out of mistakes, especially through the sacrament of penance, the most visible expression of God’s mercy, when we acknowledge our mistakes, confess our need for God’s mercy and voice out our supplications. No Christian should despair in sin because we have an advocate and mediator who pleads our cause before the Father’s throne of Justice.

May we open our hearts to the presence of God within us and in others. Whenever the uncertainties of life threaten to overwhelm us, may we always hear Christ saying to us, “Take courage, it is I: do not be afraid,” and may we always remember to call for Divine help whenever we find ourselves on the brink of sinking.

Please be kind and may God bless you.

Fr. Manasseh