DO NOT BE AFRAID, TRUST IN GOD

The above image is from the movie titled in Portuguese "Superação: o milagre da fé" (resilience: a miracle of faith), which described the faith of a mother who did not give up on her only son who was drowned and was in coma for days. Despite the fear of loosing her child, she anchored her faith in Christ. Many of us are living in fear and it has eaten us deeply. It is so sad that we are afraid in the presence of God. We are more afraid of offending people than God. In the midst of tempest and challenges, Christ tells us, “Have no fear” (Mt. 14:27). How often do we remind ourselves to trust in God during difficult times? What are the practical ways  we can anchor our faith in God when facing trials and uncertainties of life?

In the first reading, we read of the fear of Elijah, which made him to hide in the cave. In the antecedence to this pericope, “King Ahab and Jezebel expressed their intention to take the life of Elijah as they did to other prophets and Elijah became afraid and fled for his life, making a journey of forty days and forty nights to Horeb, where he hid himself in the cave” (1Kings 19:1-3). In verse 10, we hear the prophet saying, “…I am the only one left and now they want to kill me.” In fear, he ran to the mountain of God to seek refuge, to Horeb where God revealed himself to Moses as seen in Exodus 3 and 33:18-34:9. On this note, “Moses and Elijah have in common theophany or manifestation at Horeb; both also witness the transfiguration of the Lord” which was celebrated last week.

While Elijah was in the cave, God manifested himself to him in an unusual way, quite different from what we have in Exodus 19. In this manifestation, the great and strong wind (storm), the earthquake and the fire heralds the coming of God, which was in a still small voice. A voice that speaks to the heart of Elijah not to be afraid; a voice that restores his peace. Elijah found God, not in the wind, nor in the earthquake, nor in the fire, but in a still small voice. The Lord reveals himself in a quiet moment of our lives. The story teaches us of sensing God’s presence amidst challenges. We can learn from Elijah in paying attention to God’s quiet presence, amidst the noise that surrounds us.

The journey of Elijah to Mount Horeb, which is synonymous to Mount Sinai reflects our spiritual path. God’s voice is gentle and subtle, not always grand and powerful. Sometimes, life is tough and we seek solace from God. We must pay attention to God’s quiet presence. He cares for us, even in dark times. The “still small voice” is how God speaks to us. It may not be loud, but it guides and comforts us whenever we face doubt and fear in our journey of faith. In view of this, the psalmist says, “I will hear what the Lord God speaks; he speaks of peace for his people and his faithful” (Psalm 85:8). In a similar way, we read in the gospel, how Christ restored peace to the hearts of Peter and the other disciples while they were in fear.

The gospel presents to us Christ’s manifestation to his disciples whose boat was being tossed by the storm, as he came to them, walking on the sea (Mt 14:25). In Biblical literature, the sea is often represented as the abode of demonic forces hostile to God. Having this in mind, fear gripped the disciples when their boat was beaten by the waves; for the wind was against them. It is indeed frightening to be in a small boat, far from shore, in a storm. In the midst of this, Christ demonstrated His Godly identity and power over the sea and wind, as He appeared to them, walking on the sea, similar to what He did in Mt 8, sleeping on the boat. “When the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, ‘It is a ghost!’ and they cried out for fear” (v.26). At this point, we hear the voice of Christ saying, “Take heart, it is I; have no fear” (v.27).

When this initial fear was conquered, Peter was able to act like his Master, he got out of the boat and was walking on the sea towards Christ. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and began to sink. Peter who ought to be the rock expressed his weakness like the seed sown on rocky soil. After asking, “Lord, if it is you, bid me come to you on the water” (v. 28). He sprouts quickly but dies back just as quickly. He leaps before he looks, suddenly become aware of his perils, and then falters. His request demonstrates a moment of strong faith, but his subsequent doubt highlights the challenge of maintaining faith in moment in difficult circumstances. It was after the resurrection of Christ the weak Peter was transformed to the rock.

While Peter was sinking, he realized he can do nothing without Christ and so he cried out, “Lord, save me” (v. 30). It was an expression of faith through his fear and immediately, Christ saved him. His fear and doubt upon seeing the wind and waves reveal the human tendency to be easily swayed by external circumstances, even in the presence of Christ. Importantly, Peter’s fear and cry for help, helps us to reflect on how often we walk or attempt to walk without Christ. As in the first reading, when fear of Ahab and Jezebel gripped Elijah, he ran to the mountain of God, where he can be saved, and while fear griped Peter, he cried out for Christ to save him. For us, to whom do we run to when we are engulfed in fears? Have we ever been in a stormy or challenging situation? Where do we anchor our boats when strong wind hits us hard?

It is in such moments that Christ reassures us of His presence, in times of illness, death, persecution, or other troubles. Adversity is not a sign of God’s displeasure or prosperity a sign of God’s pleasure. Wealth does not equate God’s favor or poverty to disfavour. Illness is not a sign of inadequate faith or health a sign of great faith. Paradoxically, the storms of life can be a means of blessing. When things are going badly, our hearts are more receptive to Christ. A broken heart is often a door through which Christ can find entry. He still comes to us in the midst of our troubles saying, “Take heart, it is I; have no fear.”

In all these, let us act like St. Paul who is ready to give up his life if it will help his brother, seeking the good interest of others and not their predicaments. He said, “I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.” He had this feeling because he saw the separation of his people Israel from God of which he had earlier raised questions on who/what can separate us from the love of God. In our case, could the strong wind of our time lead us to fear and separate us from God? Let us run to God on the mountain like Elijah and listen to the still small voice as he whispers to us. let us extend our hands like Peter in prayers, that our Lord will save us from this terrifying time that toss our faith in God.

Happy Sunday

Fr. Ken Dogbo, OSJ