NINETEENTH  SUNDAY-A Aug 10, 2008

 1 Kings 19:9-13  Psalm: 85 Romans 9: 1-5  Matthew 14:22-33

In a little town, the 70 year old Rabbi was a good friend of the 72 year old Catholic Parish Priest. Each week, they would go out fishing on their day off - chatting about the local stuff and exchanging banter. One day the Rabbi said, perhaps we should invite your young assistant to come along, and the Priest agreed. Just before they set off, the Rabbi exclaimed, Oh I forgot to get the newspapers. So he stepped out of the boat, walked on the waters and came back carrying the papers. The young priest just gaped in surprise with a his mouth wide open. The Old priest then said, Oh I forgot the coffee. He stepped out of the boat, walked on the waters and came back with the coffee. Not to be out done however, the young priest said, “I will bring some bait for fishing.” He stepped out of the boat and promptly sank.  The two elderly men reached out and dragged the soaking wet young priest into the boat. the Rabbi said sadly “We should have told him where the stones were!”

Like the young seminarian, when we read the miracle of Jesus walking on the water we might be tempted to spend all our time on the miracle. Yet after each miracle, especially curing the sick, Jesus was constantly telling the cured, “Go and tell no one.” Jesus was not interested in being “type cast” as a miracle worker or magician. He was interested in preaching the Kingdom of God. The miracles were only signs. People would get caught up in the sign and not move on to the Kingdom.

What is more interesting or profitable for us are the Apostles in this story . May I propose to you three points following the Jesuit tradition:

First Peter’s dare: Bid me to come to you over the waters.

Second: Peter’s Fright: I am sinking.

Third: The ten men in the boat.

Peter’s Dare: Have you noticed when teaching a child to cycle or fly a kite or spin a top, there is always an impatience. The child sees you once and immediately it cries, “Let me !” It gets on the cycle and falls immediately, the kite comes crashing down... If Peter had stopped and weighed the situation, he would definitely have decided to stay in the boat. Walking on the water was for the fish! But Peter was impetuous and that is why Jesus chose him.

• When called to follow, he left his boat, his net and the catch of fish and followed Jesus.
• On the mount of Transfiguration, there was no Home Hardware, yet he wanted to build three tents for Jesus, Moses and Elijah.
• At the last supper, others would deny Jesus, but not me, said Peter.

• The generosity of Peter is both to be admired and emulated.  He would go where the brave would not go. However, the call from God is always initiated by God and the grace to continue comes from God. Hence there is a constant need to discern when we accept and apostolate or ministry. Is it from God or is it my dream?

 In our first reading we find Elijah doing precisely this. He wanted to know what was God’s will for him. He wanted to know where he could hear God speak. Traditionally the voice of God was heard

• in the Thunder and Strong Winds
• in earthquakes
• in fire and other forces of nature’s power

But today God speaks in the “Sounds of silence” - in a quiet gentle breeze. Perhaps it is a sign for us to keep our mouths shut and our ears open to hear God speak to us. But when in doubt always go for the “magis” or what will give “more” glory to God.

Second: Peter’s Fright: I am sinking. One does not have to look out for water on which to walk. Most of us have enough crosses, and we have a sinking feeling like Peter. And although Peter did coax an invitation from Jesus, he was safe as long as he kept his eyes on Jesus. People feel they are sinking in financial difficulties. Others have medical problems - like Cancer, Alzheimer, Stroke. Still others have family problems: a marriage gone sour, infidelity, children out of control. Most of these are beyond our depth. We spend a lot of time in nervous tension and worry; neither of which solve the issue. Although we might find it difficult to believe at the moment, but we are never handed a cross bigger than we can handle. I have learnt this from experience as I look back at the difficult times in my own life. It is easy to fall into “why me?” and “poor me?” syndromes, both of which drain us of energy. However, if we keep our eyes on Jesus, and use the God given talents, gradually we manage to float back again. No matter how high the waves and how rough the wind, we will survive - and even come out stronger.

Finally: the ten in the boat. The boat through the ages has been a symbol of the Church. Many have stepped out of the boat in the past centuries, thinking they could make it on their own. Invariably they have sunk in the waves. We hear of the Barque of Peter. In the boat we find security, safety a sense of righteousness. But Peter himself leaves the boat.

It would make more sense to remain in the boat, just like the other Disciples did.   However, the Lord did not call us to be safe and secure. He said, those who want to save their lives will loose it, and those who loose their lives for my sake will save it. Jesus is inviting us to walk on the waters: it is risky life. Paul did it.  In our second reading Paul would even put his own personal salvation on the line for the sake of the Kingdom.  He said his desire was to be accursed and even cut off from Christ if it would save a few others for the Kingdom.

Both Peter and Paul had the dynamism. They were charismatic leaders. They made mistakes, but no one could fault them for either their generosity or for painting the Kingdom of God in bold and breath taking strokes. Peter and Paul pray for us.