Where do I find God?

 

Let us approach God in faith.

Reflection on Today’s Readings, 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A, August 13th, 2023
Texts: 1 Kings 19:9.11-13; Psalm 85:9-14; Romans 9:1-5; Matthew 14:22-33 

The question today is this: “Where do I find God?” Today’s first reading shows that  the way God spoke to Moses was different from that of Elijah. God spoke to Moses and the old people from fire, cloud, storm, thundering and earthquake. Elijah sought God in the forms God spoke to Moses but he did not find God in them. God spoke to Moses in a dramatic form but to Elijah in simple and peaceful form. We read, “and after the fire a still small voice. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.” 

Today’s gospel reading relates an account similar to that of first reading. When the apostles were in a boat and wind was against them they encountered God in Jesus. We read, “And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshipped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God.’" This means the same God who spoke to Elijah speaks to us in Jesus Christ. He is a simple and peace-loving God. He is an approachable God.  

They trembled and stood afar off

This corrects the wrong impression the old people had about God when God spoke to them. The people saw God as unapproachable and fearful God. This happened when He spoke to them in the midst of storm, thunder and earthquake. Scripture says, “Now all the people witnessed the thunderings, the lightning flashes, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood afar off. Then they said to Moses, ‘You speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die’” (Ex. 20:18-19).  

God came to the old people in a dreadful manner but come to us in a peaceful and loving manner. Hence, today’s Psalm says, “I will hear what the Lord God speaks, he speaks of peace for his people and his faithful. His salvation is near for those who fear him, and his glory will dwell in our land.” He has come to draw us close, not to stand afar off. Today He says to us, “come.” Like Peter let us leave our comfort zone to meet the Lord. Let us approach Him in faith. Unlike Peter let us fix our eyes on Him and give in to no distraction. Life challenges should not distract us. 

Going astray is possible in spite of abundance of means of salvation

We need to remain focused on Jesus. Today’s second reading affirms that going astray is possible in spite of abundance of means of salvation. The people of Israel had the necessary resources for salvation, yet they were lost. St. Paul says, “They are Israelites, and to them belong the sonship, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises; to them belong the patriarchs, and of their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ”. 

Prayer 

Almighty ever-living God, whom, taught by the Holy Spirit, we dare to call our Father, bring, we pray, to perfection in our hearts the spirit of adoption as your sons and daughters, that we may merit to enter into the inheritance which you have promised. Amen (Collect) 

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke