Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A 2023

Title

Listening to God with Faith

Outline

Where is God? Where is God when it hurts?

This is the perennial cry of human beings, whether believing or unbelieving

The long and short of it is that God was close, but we could not hear him for the noise

Elijah experienced this

The noise of the slain prophets of Baal had faded with Jezebel’s violent threat. Where was God? Well, how had Elijah heard God? In the quiet, for it was there that he heard to call for a famine, to show himself to Ahab, to call down fire. But rather than fleeing to a quiet place, he seeks to die. God sends him to a quiet place, to Sinai and then shows that he is not in that way in the noise of storm and fire but spoke a quiet revolution in a type of whisper.

Paul is struggling with the loss of his fellow Jews

They had such great advantages from God, but they had rejected Jesus and so were cut off. It tears at Paul’s heart. I would rather be accursed! But he will hear the answer, that the rejection is temporary, that it does not include all, and that it will be overcome once the fullness of the Gentiles comes in. Get quiet, Paul, and still the inner turmoil. I will show you the big picture, but it is also a long view, unapparent to others.

Jesus had sent his disciples across the lake

This had happened right after the excitement of the feeding of the 5000. Then came rough water and contrary winds. Where is Jesus when we need him?

He was actually not far away, walking towards them. When they see him, the sight scares them. Jesus tries to calm them with “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” Well, Peter decides to test if it really was Jesus. “Lord, if it is you tell me to walk to you.” Jesus accepts the tiny bit of faith and invites him. He does well until he pays attention to the storm rather than Jesus. He needed to walk with tunnel vision, seeing only Jesus, hearing only the sound of his voice.

Sisters, that is the story of our lives

Where was God when? Where is God now?

Where was God when our baby died? He was right there. He had warned me that something would happen. He spoke through the silence of the Episcopal priest who immediately visited us. He gave visions to Judy. Nothing is outside his providence.

Where was God when a friend who had recruited me for two years betrayed me (and my family) and left me jobless across the country from our base? God was there. He had better plans for me. He would speak, but it was through the then-Principal of Regent College in Canada: “Hi, Peter, you would not happen to be free next year would you?” If I had stayed caught up in my turmoil I might not have heard.

I have my stories, many stories, and you have yours. God is there. He is waiting for the right time to speak. He may speak in silence. He hardly ever speaks in the noise of the world. Our job is still ourselves inside and wait however long and wait in trust, for then in the silence he will hear, whether it be immediately or in retrospect.

Readings

Catholic Daily Readings 8-13-2023: Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

FIRST READING

1 Kings 19:9a, 11–13a

9 There he came to a cave, where he took shelter. But the word of the LORD came to him: Why are you here, Elijah?

11 Then the LORD said: Go out and stand on the mountain before the LORD; the LORD will pass by. There was a strong and violent wind rending the mountains and crushing rocks before the LORD—but the LORD was not in the wind; after the wind, an earthquake—but the LORD was not in the earthquake; 12 after the earthquake, fire—but the LORD was not in the fire; after the fire, a light silent sound.

13 When he heard this, Elijah hid his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. A voice said to him, Why are you here, Elijah?

Catholic Daily Readings 8-13-2023: Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

RESPONSE

Psalm 85:8

8 Show us, LORD, your mercy;

grant us your salvation.

PSALM

Psalm 85:9–14

9 I will listen for what God, the LORD, has to say;

surely he will speak of peace

To his people and to his faithful.

May they not turn to foolishness!

10 Near indeed is his salvation for those who fear him;

glory will dwell in our land.

11 Love and truth will meet;

justice and peace will kiss.

12 Truth will spring from the earth;

justice will look down from heaven.

13 Yes, the LORD will grant his bounty;

our land will yield its produce.

14 Justice will march before him,

and make a way for his footsteps.

Catholic Daily Readings 8-13-2023: Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

SECOND READING

Romans 9:1–5

CHAPTER 9

1 I speak the truth in Christ, I do not lie; my conscience joins with the holy Spirit in bearing me witness 2 that I have great sorrow and constant anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed and separated from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kin according to the flesh. 4 They are Israelites; theirs the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises; 5 theirs the patriarchs, and from them, according to the flesh, is the Messiah. God who is over all be blessed forever. Amen.

Catholic Daily Readings 8-13-2023: Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Psalm 130:5

5 I wait for the LORD,

my soul waits

and I hope for his word.

GOSPEL

Matthew 14:22–33

22 Then he made the disciples get into the boat and precede him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23 After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When it was evening he was there alone. 24 Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore, was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it. 25 During the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them, walking on the sea. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified. “It is a ghost,” they said, and they cried out in fear. 27 At once [Jesus] spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” 28 Peter said to him in reply, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29 He said, “Come.” Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw how [strong] the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 After they got into the boat, the wind died down. 33  Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying, “Truly, you are the Son of God.”

Notes

Catholic Daily Readings 8-13-2023: Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

SUNDAY, AUGUST 13, 2023 | ORDINARY TIME

NINETEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

YEAR A | ROMAN MISSAL | LECTIONARY

First Reading 1 Kings 19:9a, 11–13a

Response Psalm 85:8

Psalm Psalm 85:9–14

Second Reading Romans 9:1–5

Gospel Acclamation Psalm 130:5

Gospel Matthew 14:22–33