Musings for Pentecost 11

Sunday, August 28, 2011
Lectionary 22
Proper 17
Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost

Musings by Karen Grover

INTRODUCTION
The prophet Jeremiah speaks of the incurable wound of his suffering, yet finds in God's words the delight of his heart. When Peter doesn't grasp Jesus' words about suffering, Jesus tells the disciples they will find their lives in losing them. Such sacrificial love is described by Paul when he urges us to associate with the lowly and not repay evil with evil. In worship we gather as a community that we might offer ourselves for the sake of our suffering world. Today is the commemoration of Augustine, Bishop of Hippo, who died in 430, and Moses the Black, monk and martyr, who died around 400.

Augustine, Bishop of Hippo, died 430
Augustine was one of the greatest theologians of the Western church. A native of North Africa, he recovered from a debauched young adulthood through the influence of his mother, Monica, and Bishop Ambrose of Milan. Besides writing influential theological books, he served as bishop of Hippo, in present-day Algeria.

Moses the Black, monk, martyr, died around 400
Converted from life as a thief and a robber to Christianity, Moses was an Ethiopian who became a desert monk at Skete. His conversion had a great impact in his native country. Wearing a white habit, he said, "God knows I am black within." He was murdered during an attack by Berbers.

Prayer of the Day (ELW)

O God, we thank you for your Son, who chose the path of suffering for the sake of the world. Humble us by his example, point us to the path of obedience, and give us strength to follow your commands, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

First Reading

Jeremiah 15:15–21

Jeremiah's delight in the word of the Lord is contradicted by the heaviness of God's hand upon him and God's seeming unfaithfulness. God's tough love to Jeremiah says that if he repents, he will be allowed to continue in his strenuous ministry. Jeremiah is strengthened by the simple words: "I am with you."

¹⁵O LORD, you know;
remember me and visit me,
and bring down retribution for me on my persecutors.
In your forbearance do not take me away;
know that on your account I suffer insult.
¹⁶Your words were found, and I ate them,
and your words became to me a joy
and the delight of my heart;
for I am called by your name,
O LORD, God of hosts.
¹⁷I did not sit in the company of merrymakers,
nor did I rejoice;
under the weight of your hand I sat alone,
for you had filled me with indignation.
¹⁸Why is my pain unceasing,
my wound incurable,
refusing to be healed?
Truly, you are to me like a deceitful brook,
like waters that fail.
¹⁹Therefore thus says the LORD:
If you turn back, I will take you back,
and you shall stand before me.
If you utter what is precious, and not what is worthless,
you shall serve as my mouth.
It is they who will turn to you,
not you who will turn to them.
²⁰And I will make you to this people
a fortified wall of bronze;
they will fight against you,
but they shall not prevail over you,
for I am with you
to save you and deliver you,
says the LORD.
²¹I will deliver you out of the hand of the wicked,
and redeem you from the grasp of the ruthless.

Psalm (ELW)

Psalm 26:1–8

Your love is before my eyes; I have walked faithfully with you. (Ps. 26:3)

¹Give judgment for me, O LORD, for I have lived ^| with integrity;

I have trusted in the LORD and ^| have not faltered.

²Test me, O ^| LORD, and try me;

examine my heart ^| and my mind.

³For your steadfast love is be- ^| fore my eyes;

I have walked faithful- ^| ly with you.

⁴I have not sat ^| with the worthless,

nor do I consort with ^| the deceitful. R

⁵I have hated the company of ^| evildoers;

I will not sit down ^| with the wicked.

⁶I will wash my hands in inno- ^| cence, O LORD,

that I may go in procession ^| round your altar,

⁷singing aloud a song ^| of thanksgiving

and recounting all your won- ^| derful deeds.

⁸LORD, I love the house in ^| which you dwell

and the place where your glo- ^| ry abides. R

Second Reading

Romans 12:9–21

Paul presents benchmarks for faithful relationships with Christians and non-Christians. Love is the unflagging standard of our behavior. When we encounter evil, we do not resort to its tactics but seek to overcome it with good. While Christians cannot control the actions and attitudes of others, we seek to live at peace with all people.

⁹Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; ¹⁰love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. ¹¹Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. ¹²Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. ¹³Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.
¹⁴Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. ¹⁵Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. ¹⁶Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. ¹⁷Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. ¹⁸If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. ¹⁹Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." ²⁰No, "if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads." ²¹Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Gospel

Matthew 16:21–28

After Peter confesses that Jesus is "the Messiah, the Son of the living God" (16:16), Jesus reveals the ultimate purpose of his ministry. These words prove hard to accept, even for a disciple whom Jesus has called a "rock."

²¹From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and undergo great suffering at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. ²²And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, "God forbid it, Lord! This must never happen to you." ²³But he turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things."
²⁴Then Jesus told his disciples, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. ²⁵For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. ²⁶For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life?
²⁷For the Son of Man is to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay everyone for what has been done. ²⁸Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom."

Reflections

I tried to put myself in Peter's sandles to understand what he was feeling when Jesus told him what would happen to him in Jerusalem and that he, Peter, was a stumbling block to him. That was a pretty harsh reaction that Jesus had to Peter's rejecting his suffering. My reaction is that that reaction wasn't really necessary. How could Jesus not realize that it would be natural for Peter to have a human reaction? I often think of Jesus in human terms, as Peter did in that moment. But my thoughts go to wondering if he ever had simple conversations with friends other than those conversations that were meant to be teaching moments. All of his conversations seemed to have a purpose to them--of course, a divine purpose. Jesus had a mission to accomplish and nothing could derail him from that mission.

We are called to commit ourselves to Christ's mission in that we are to give of ourselves to those who have very little. We are to serve others, not ourselves. We are to deny benefitting ourselves in favor of benefitting others. In human terms that is difficult to do. In divine terms it is probably very easy to do.

Quote

"One of the secrets of life is to make stepping stones out of stumbling blocks." Jack Penn

Let us pray

Lord, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go, but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us. Amen

Musings for Pentecost 10

Sunday, August 21, 2011
Lectionary 21
Proper 16
Tenth Sunday after Pentecost

Midweek Musings

Reflection by Judy Lazenby

INTRODUCTION
In Isaiah the people are bid to look to their spiritual ancestors as the rock from which they were hewn. Jesus declares that the church will be built on the rock of Peter's bold confession of faith. God's word of reconciliation and mercy are keys to the church's mission. Paul urges us to not be conformed to this world, but to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice, using our individual gifts to build up the body of Christ. From the table we go forth to offer our spiritual worship through word and deed.

Prayer of the Day (ELW)

O God, with all your faithful followers of every age, we praise you, the rock of our life.
Be our strong foundation and form us into the body of your Son, that we may gladly minister to all the world, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

First Reading

Isaiah 51:1–6

Just as God had called Abraham and Sarah and given them many descendants, so now God offers comfort to Zion. God's deliverance will come soon and will never end.

Listen to me, you that pursue righteousness,
you that seek the LORD.
Look to the rock from which you were hewn,
and to the quarry from which you were dug.
²Look to Abraham your father
and to Sarah who bore you;
for he was but one when I called him,
but I blessed him and made him many.
³For the LORD will comfort Zion;
he will comfort all her waste places,
and will make her wilderness like Eden,
her desert like the garden of the LORD;
joy and gladness will be found in her,
thanksgiving and the voice of song.
⁴Listen to me, my people,
and give heed to me, my nation;
for a teaching will go out from me,
and my justice for a light to the peoples.
⁵I will bring near my deliverance swiftly,
my salvation has gone out
and my arms will rule the peoples;
the coastlands wait for me,
and for my arm they hope.
⁶Lift up your eyes to the heavens,
and look at the earth beneath;
for the heavens will vanish like smoke,
the earth will wear out like a garment,
and those who live on it will die like gnats;
but my salvation will be forever,
and my deliverance will never be ended.

Psalm (ELW)

Psalm 138

O LORD, your steadfast love endures forever. (Ps. 138:8)

¹I will give thanks to you, O LORD, with ^| my whole heart;

before the gods I will ^| sing your praise.

²I will bow down toward your holy temple and praise your name,

because of your steadfast ^| love and faithfulness;

for you have glorified your name and your word

a- ^| bove all things.

³When I called, you ^| answered me;

you increased my ^| strength within me.

⁴All the rulers of the earth will praise ^| you, O LORD,

when they have heard the words ^| of your mouth. R

⁵They will sing of the ways ^| of the LORD,

that great is the glory ^| of the LORD.

⁶The LORD is high, yet cares ^| for the lowly,

perceiving the haughty ^| from afar.

⁷Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you ^| keep me safe;

you stretch forth your hand against the fury of my enemies;

your right ^| hand shall save me.

⁸You will make good your pur- ^| pose for me;

O LORD, your steadfast love endures forever;

do not abandon the works ^| of your hands. R

Second Reading

Romans 12:1–8

In response to God's merciful activity, we are to worship by living holistic, God-pleasing lives. Our values and viewpoints are not molded by this age, but are transformed by the Spirit's renewing work. God's grace empowers different forms of service among Christians, but all forms of ministry function to build up the body of Christ.

I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. ²Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God — what is good and acceptable and perfect.
³For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. ⁴For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, ⁵so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. ⁶We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; ⁷ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; ⁸the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness.

Gospel

Matthew 16:13–20

At a climactic point in Jesus' ministry, God reveals to Peter that Jesus is "the Messiah, the Son of the living God," and Jesus responds with the promise of a church that will overcome the very gates of Hades.

¹³Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" ¹⁴And they said, "Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." ¹⁵He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" ¹⁶Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." ¹⁷And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. ¹⁸And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. ¹⁹I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." ²⁰Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.

Reflections

Some of you know that Gary and I recently returned from a cruse of the Mediterranean. During the evenings and nights the ship sailed to the next port and by day, we did land bus tours arranged by the ship’s excursion staff. Civitavecchia serves as the port for Rome and has for many years. The bus trip, on roads essentially laid out by the Romans, took about ninety minutes. The land tour we selected included a tour of the Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel and St Peter’s Basilica.

Every aspect of the Vatican City is majestic. To say it is built on a rock is an understatement. There is not a tree or bit of grass in sight as you walk around the historic holy sights. Everything in St Peter’s is either marble, mosaic, or stone. There are many statues of St. Peter to be seen. You know it is Peter because in every instance he holds keys. Clearly the Roman Catholic Church has taken this gospel as its inspiration.

What is your faith’s inspiration? What is your rock? What keys do you possess?

Quote

I am a rock,
I am an island.

Simon and Garfunkel: “I Am A Rock” Lyrics

Prayers

Let us pray for:

• All those without a rock in their life.
• Those reaching out for good health.
• Those new born to our world.
• Those starting out in their new life together.
• For those clinging to their life together.

Musings for August 14

Sunday, August 14, 2011
Lectionary 20
Proper 15
Ninth Sunday after Pentecost

Midweek Musings

Reflection by Ken Klassen

INTRODUCTION
In Isaiah we hear that God's house shall be a house of prayer for all people and that God will gather the outcasts of Israel. The Canaanite woman in today's gospel is a Gentile, an outsider, who is unflinching in her request that Jesus heal her daughter. As Jesus commends her bold faith, how might our church extend its mission to those on the margins of society? In our gathering around word and meal we receive strength to be signs of comfort, healing, and justice for those in need.

Maximilian Kolbe, died 1941; Kaj Munk, died 1944; martyrs
Father Kolbe was a Franciscan priest arrested by the Nazis and confined in Auschwitz. Kolbe gave generously of his meager resources, and finally volunteered to be starved to death in place of another man. A Danish Lutheran pastor and playwright, Munk strongly denounced the Nazis who occupied Denmark in the Second World War. His sermons and articles helped to show the anti-Christian nature of the movement.

Prayer of the Day (ELW)

God of all peoples, your arms reach out to embrace all those who call upon you.
Teach us as disciples of your Son to love the world with compassion and constancy,
that your name may be known throughout the earth, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

First Reading

Isaiah 56:1, 6–8

The prophet calls upon Israel to do justice in view of God's imminent intervention to save. Righteousness and obedience define who belongs to the Israelite community—not race, nationality, or any other category.

Thus says the LORD:
Maintain justice, and do what is right,
for soon my salvation will come,
and my deliverance be revealed.
⁶And the foreigners who join themselves to the LORD,
to minister to him, to love the name of the LORD,
and to be his servants,
all who keep the sabbath, and do not profane it,
and hold fast my covenant —
⁷these I will bring to my holy mountain,
and make them joyful in my house of prayer;
their burnt offerings and their sacrifices
will be accepted on my altar;
for my house shall be called a house of prayer
for all peoples.
⁸Thus says the Lord GOD,
who gathers the outcasts of Israel,
I will gather others to them
besides those already gathered.

Psalm 67

Let all the peoples praise you, O God. (Ps. 67:3)

¹May God be merciful to ^| us and bless us;

may the light of God's face ^| shine upon us.

²Let your way be known ^| upon earth,

your saving health a- ^| mong all nations.

³Let the peoples praise ^| you, O God;

let all the ^| peoples praise you.

⁴Let the nations be glad and ^| sing for joy,

for you judge the peoples with equity

and guide all the na- ^| tions on earth. R

⁵Let the peoples praise ^| you, O God;

let all the ^| peoples praise you.

⁶The earth has brought ^| forth its increase;

God, our own ^| God, has blessed us.

⁷May God ^| give us blessing,

and may all the ends of the earth ^| stand in awe. R

Second reading Romans 11:1–2a, 29–32

God has not rejected Israel. Rather, the call and gifts of God are irrevocable, so that while all have been disobedient, God has mercy upon all.

I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. ²God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. ²⁹for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. ³⁰Just as you were once disobedient to God but have now received mercy because of their disobedience, ³¹so they have now been disobedient in order that, by the mercy shown to you, they too may now receive mercy. ³²For God has imprisoned all in disobedience so that he may be merciful to all.

Gospel

Matthew 15:[10–20] 21–28

Jesus teaches his disciples that true purity is a matter of the heart rather than outward religious observances. Almost immediately, this teaching is tested when a woman considered to be pagan and unclean approaches him for help.

¹⁰Then he called the crowd to him and said to them, "Listen and understand: ¹¹it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but it is what comes out of the mouth that defiles." ¹²Then the disciples approached and said to him, "Do you know that the Pharisees took offense when they heard what you said?" ¹³He answered, "Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. ¹⁴Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind. And if one blind person guides another, both will fall into a pit." ¹⁵But Peter said to him, "Explain this parable to us." ¹⁶Then he said, "Are you also still without understanding? ¹⁷Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth enters the stomach, and goes out into the sewer? ¹⁸But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this is what defiles. ¹⁹For out of the heart come evil intentions, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false witness, slander. ²⁰These are what defile a person, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile."
²¹Jesus left that place and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon. ²²Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, "Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon." ²³But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, "Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us." ²⁴He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." ²⁵But she came and knelt before him, saying, "Lord, help me." ²⁶He answered, "It is not fair to take the children's food and throw it to the dogs." ²⁷She said, "Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table." ²⁸Then Jesus answered her, "Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish." And her daughter was healed instantly.

Reflection

My brother sent me the address of a YouTube video and asked me what I thought of it. It is by a fellow named Carl Medearis and is titled, "How to read the Bible". I've never heard of the guy, but he makes some compelling points that I've applied to this week's gospel reading. I share it with you so that you can see and hear my source material for this reflection. http://www.youtube.com/carlmedearis#p/a/u/1/ldKn_gBx1yk

Carl says that reading the Bible is more of a conversation with God than a constitution (a rule book on how to live) from God. His summary is "try reading the scriptures again … think of it as a conversation between you and God. Imagine yourself sitting down and having God speak to you."

So as I re-read verses 17 to 20 of this week's gospel, I see that these verses can be thought of as rules on how to live. It says literally that it's not what enters the mouth that defiles us, but rather what comes out of it. God has my attention; let's talk. So watching violence on TV or the movies does not defile us, but rather it is the acting out of this violence in our lives that defiles us. (pause) Were going to have a long and perhaps heated discussion on whether or not watching violence makes people violent or whether violent people already have an inner craving for violence that leads to the behavior of watching such things on TV or the movies. As my conversation with God continues, I yield that outcomes are important. But the more we view violent behavior, the more we think that it is an acceptable course of action. So does violence only occur if a person has an inner craving for violence? I'm not sure because I haven't yet finished my conversation with God.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we pray for wisdom and patience to understand your scriptures. Help us to separate the metaphor from the literal. Help us to listen to your voice. We ask that your protecting hand will be on all of those who serve our country and work for peace. Teach us compassion for the sick, the suffering, and those in need.

Musings for Pentecost 8

Sunday, August 7, 2011
Lectionary 19
Proper 14
Eighth Sunday after Pentecost

Midweek Musings

Reflection by Ann Patterson

INTRODUCTION
Elijah finds the presence of God not in earthquake, wind, or fire, but in the sound of sheer silence. When the disciples face a great storm on the sea, they cry out with fear. Jesus says: "Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid." Amid the storms of life, we gather to seek the calm presence of Christ that soothes our fears. In comforting words of scripture and in the refreshing bread and cup of the eucharist, God grants us peace and sends us forth to be a sign of God's presence to others.

Prayer of the Day (ELW)

O God our defender, storms rage around and within us and cause us to be afraid. Rescue your people from despair, deliver your sons and daughters from fear, and preserve us in the faith of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

First Reading

1 Kings 19:9–18

On Mount Horeb, where God had appeared to Moses with typical signs of God's presence—earthquake, wind, and fire—Elijah now experienced God in "sheer silence." God assured Elijah that he is not the only faithful believer. Seven thousand Israelites are still loyal. God instructed Elijah to anoint two men as kings and to anoint Elisha as his own successor.

⁹At that place he came to a cave, and spent the night there.
Then the word of the LORD came to him, saying, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" ¹⁰He answered, "I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away."
¹¹He said, "Go out and stand on the mountain before the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by." Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces 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 a sound of sheer silence. ¹³When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. Then there came a voice to him that said, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" ¹⁴He answered, "I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away." ¹⁵Then the LORD said to him, "Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus; when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael as king over Aram. ¹⁶Also you shall anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king over Israel; and you shall anoint Elisha son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah as prophet in your place. ¹⁷Whoever escapes from the sword of Hazael, Jehu shall kill; and whoever escapes from the sword of Jehu, Elisha shall kill. ¹⁸Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him."

Psalm (ELW)

Psalm 85:8–13

I will listen to what the LORD God is saying. (Ps. 85:8)

⁸I will listen to what the LORD ^| God is saying;

for you speak peace to your faithful people

and to those who turn their ^| hearts to you.

⁹Truly, your salvation is very near to ^| those who fear you,

that your glory may dwell ^| in our land. R

¹⁰Steadfast love and faithfulness have ^| met together;

righteousness and peace have ^| kissed each other.

¹¹Faithfulness shall spring up ^| from the earth,

and righteousness shall look ^| down from heaven.

¹²The LORD will indeed ^| grant prosperity,

and our land will ^| yield its increase.

¹³Righteousness shall go be- ^| fore the LORD

and shall prepare for ^| God a pathway. R

Second Reading

Romans 10:5–15

A right relationship with God is not something we achieve by heroic efforts. It is a gift received in the proclamation whose content is Jesus Christ. This proclaimed word creates our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Hence Christian proclamation is an indispensable component of God's saving actions.

⁵Moses writes concerning the righteousness that comes from the law, that "the person who does these things will live by them." ⁶But the righteousness that comes from faith says, "Do not say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?'" (that is, to bring Christ down) ⁷or 'Who will descend into the abyss?' (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). ⁸But what does it say?
"The word is near you,
on your lips and in your heart"
(that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); ⁹because if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. ¹¹The scripture says, "No one who believes in him will be put to shame." ¹²For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him. ¹³For, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."
¹⁴But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? ¹⁵And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"

Gospel

Matthew 14:22–33

Matthew's gospel typically portrays Jesus' disciples as people of "little faith" who fail despite their best intentions. In this story, Matthew shows how Jesus comes to the disciples when they are in trouble and sustains them in their time of fear and doubt.

²²Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. ²³And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, ²⁴but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. ²⁵And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. ²⁶But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out in fear. ²⁷But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, "Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid."
²⁸Peter 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, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. ³⁰But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!" ³¹Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" ³²When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. ³³And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."

REFLECTION

1 Kings 19:9–18

Elijah was a great prophet, one strong enough in faith to confront King Ahab and Queen Jezebel on Mount Carmel. In this week's lesson, however, Queen Jezebel's threats have made him forget God's power at Carmel. He has run away. He has fled to the wilderness to escape the Queen's assassins. Eventually the weary, frightened prophet takes shelter in a cave at Horeb.

That's where God found him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?” Elijah was quick to justify himself and blame others: "I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away." Elijah felt deeply about his failure to keep the Israelites from worshipping Baal - deeply enough to abandon his ministry.

God responded with a show of the wonders often found in scripture. First there was strong wind, then an earthquake, and then fire. But these displays of God's power were just a reminder. It was in silence that God attempted once more to awaken Elijah to the truth. Knowing God is all about listening to that small voice that speaks when the wind has died, and the earth has stopped quaking, and the flames have turned to embers. “What are you doing here, Elijah?” "Why aren't you doing what I've asked of you?"

Elijah could be us. Overwhelmed, depressed, and unwilling to trust God, we, too, run away from life's struggles. At such times, our hope is in seeking and listening to God.

QUOTE

You can hear the footsteps of God when silence reigns in the mind. ~Sri Sathya Sai Baba

PRAYER

Let us listen during the silences and pray for

· those on the margins: the imprisoned, the poor, and the sick

· those who live their lives in shadows

· those who are diminished by bigotry, violence, or injustice