The Coming of God to Us

Reflection on Today's Readings, 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A, 9th August, 2020
Texts: 1Kings 19:9a. 11-13a; Ps. 85:9-13; Rm. 9:1-5; Matt. 14:22-33
Jesus Christ is always aware of our troubles, on the fourth watch he shall come and calm our troubles. In today's gospel Jesus went up into the hills by himself to pray but his disciples had gone into the sea and were being beaten by the waves. In the fourth watch, he came to them, walking on the sea, to calm the waves. When Jesus entered the boat with them, the wind ceased. When we allow Jesus into our lives, the troubles of our lives bow and disappear.
The first reading teaches not to always expect God in a big way. Elijah expected God to be in the mighty wind, but he was not; he looked out for him in earthquake, but God was not there too; he also searched for him in fire but God was not there. God appeared to Elijah in a gentle breeze. God often appears to us in an unexpected manner, in a way that is simple. This teaches us to value simple things, things, that sometimes look insignificant.
The first reading also teaches us the virtue of perseverance. Elijah persevered in his search for God. In our journey of faith, we need perseverance.
The second reading warns us against taking the gifts of God to us for granted. The people of Israel possessed the necessary means of salvation, and yet gone astray. They went astray because they did not value what they had; they rejected Jesus Christ, the gift of God to them. The coming of God in Jesus Christ to meet them was what they did not expect. Let us learn not to look down on anything or anybody, all God's creatures are vessels of grace and they manifest the glory of God.

God our Father, help us to always be aware of your presence in our lives and in others. Amen.

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke