LORD, SAVE US

XIX SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - Matthew 14:22-33

Elijah became the role model for all the prophets that came after him. He was committed, courageous and bold. He was moved by a deep jealousy for God, which made him an example of faithfulness, putting his life totally at the service of God. And he was in a continuous search for the living God, making the long journey - the journey of life - to the “mountain of God”. In his search for God - a search in which he was being led by God, since there is no other way of knowing God but being illuminated by God himself - he had to discard false ideas of God. At Sinai, Moses and the people of Israel experienced God in the “mighty wind”, the earthquake and the tremendous fire. Elijah realised that God is not in any of those: “But the Lord was not in the wind. (…) But the Lord was not in the earthquake. (…) But the Lord was not in the fire.” (1 Kings 19:9,11-13). And he experiences the presence of God in the “sound of a gentle breeze”. A true experience of God may begin with a sense of awe and dread, but as one comes closer and closer to God, He will reveal himself as the gentle and loving God who fills the heart with joy and peace. He is the God who saves and shares his glory with us.

In the gospel, we find the apostles alone in the boat “battling with a heavy sea”, while Jesus had remained behind in prayer. Then, very early in the morning, they saw someone walking over the waters and “they were terrified” as if they were seeing ghosts. In difficult times, when we have to struggle with uncertainty as to the outcome, we can see ghosts everywhere. Forced to recognise our frailty, we feel lost and lose hope, because we act as if we are left to our fate. It was then that Jesus addressed them with reassuring words: “Courage! It is I! Do not be afraid.” Those words brought new life to their sinking hearts. And Peter became bold enough to attempt to do what Jesus was doing. Why not? If Jesus did miracles and showed extraordinary powers, we should try to do the same, shouldn’t we? However, as Peter went into the waters, he got frightened by the force of the wind and the battering of the waves and began to sink. Then, as if in despair, he cried out: “Lord! Save me!” The echo of that still cry reverberates, being repeated by each one of us: “Lord! Save me!” Left alone, we drown in deep waters. We cannot save ourselves. We need Jesus to put out his hand and hold us firm. Then, with the apostles, we will bow down before Jesus and proclaim: “Truly, you are the Son of God.”