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Reflections
for Sunday, August 7, 2011
How do we recognize the presence of God in our lives? How did the prophet
Elijah recognize the presence of God in the tiny, whispering sound? How
did the disciples recognize Jesus walking on the sea?
In the first reading, from the First Book of Kings, Elijah is actually
looking for God, seeking to know the presence of God. God Himself is
already speaking with Elijah and telling Elijah that He, the Lord, will
pass by. Elijah seems to know enough about God that he, Elijah, does not
expect him in the strong and heavy wind, not in the earth quake and not in
the fire. But when the tiny, whispering sound is heard, Elijah becomes
attentive.
What does this tell us today? So many people seem to see God in all the
natural catastrophes that fall on our world. Elijah would tell us not to
look for God there. Instead we must look for God in the smallest and the
least of things. There, if we pay attention, we can encounter the God of
all creation.
The Gospel today, from Saint Matthew's Gospel, continues directly on the
Gospel we heard last Sunday about the multiplication of food. In today's
Gospel, Jesus stays behind after His disciples leave, in order to pray.
Then he walks on the water to catch up with them. The disciples are in
their boat, it is stormy weather, and they are already a bit unnerved and
uneasy. Then they see someone walking on the water and get really
frightened, thinking that some kind of ghost is coming after them. Even
when Jesus tells them that it is he, they are not totally convinced. So
Peter puts Jesus to the test, as seems to be his way in the Gospels.
Take courage. It is I. Do not be afraid.-these words of Jesus should
remain with us always. No matter where we are, not matter what we have
done, no matter it we have sinned grievously, no matter if we have
abandoned God entirely—still Jesus remains with us. Even when we are
unfaithful, He remains faithful. We should always know that these words of
His are eternally true: Take courage. It is I. Do not be afraid.
Today's readings can give us an incredible and total trust in God's
presence in our lives. He does not want to scare us, he will always be
present in the smallest of ways. He will always be with us and does not
want us to be afraid. Let us live our lives with a response of complete
trust in Him and with striving to respond to His love for us!
Readings of the day:
First Reading:
Second Reading:
Gospel:
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Reflections are available for the following Sundays:
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