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Home  / News & Publications /  Michigan Catholic News / 2008 /  Take courage and do not fear!

by Fr. Richard C. Macey special to The Michigan Catholic
Published August 1, 2008

First Reading: 1 Kings 19:9a, 11-13a

Horeb was another name for Mount Sinai in the Old Testament, although some scholars believe that the two names are a result of two traditions that merged. It was the place where the people of God became a nation by receiving His Law.

Elijah had just fled the northern Kingdom of Israel, after winning a showdown and killing the prophets of Baal. Queen Jezebel, the wife of King Ahab and a Phoenician princess, sought to have him executed. Elijah feared for his life and fled the country. He even prayed that the Lord would end his life! The Lord sent an angel to nourish him and directed that he return to the wilderness and the foundation of Israel.

After three traditional, natural phenomena to announce the appearance of God – wind, earthquake, fire – the presence of God is found in the "tiny whispering sound." Another translation of this phrase is "a sound of sheer silence." The author uses words that try to present this announcement of God as a mysterious, almost imperceptible presence. This presence of God is recognized by the man who speaks His message to others.

There are some parallels between Moses and Elijah. Both were uncertain and fearful about the success of their mission. Both experienced a theophany and a special appearance of God to them alone. They were on the same mountain.

Second Reading: Romans 9:1-5

Paul begins a new section of his letter. He begins with the Israelites, acknowledging their pre-eminence. Later in the letter, he will address the role of the Gentiles in salvation.

The phrase "my own people" in Greek uses the same word for the Jews as Paul uses for Christians, "my brothers/sisters." He qualifies this relationship, saying that it is "according to the flesh." This may suggest a limitation, since "flesh" usually has a negative connotation. Paul also uses the Jewish title for Jesus twice in theses verses: "the Christ."

Paul uses the favorite name of the people for themselves, Israelites, recalling their heritage from the one who first received the name, Israel, Jacob. Paul lists seven particular attachments to the meaning of being Israelites, those elements which define them as a people: adoption, glory, covenants, law-giving, worship, promises, the patriarchs.

The plural use of "covenants" may refer to the continuing promise of the presence of God to the early patriarchs, and also the covenant at Sinai. It could also refer to the various agreements God made with figures in the Old Testament. Another reference may be to the covenant with the Jews and the new covenant in Christ (see Galatians 4:24). The mention of the patriarchs leads directly to Christ. Paul distinguishes the unique character of what Christ brings by mentioning that His connection to the patriarchs is "according to the flesh." Paul has already indicated the importance of the Spirit in the preceding chapter. He also adds that Christ is "over all," indicating his universality. Later, Paul will bring the Gentiles into his discussion.

While Paul wished to keep connected to the people from whom he claimed a share in the covenant, he also fought their tendency to limit, or at least control, the universal element initiated by Christ. The invitation to membership in God's people was extended to all.

Gospel: Matthew 14:22-33

The story of Jesus walking on the water follows the feeding of the 5,000. The feeding of the 4,000 will come at the end of the next chapter. Between these two signs, this story helps identify Jesus by the proclamation of His disciples at the end: "Truly, you are the Son of God.

The sea represented the abyss before creation. It was the place of evil. This may explain why Jesus was first thought to be a ghost who could harm them. However, the Old Testament also had texts of God showing His mastery over "the depths" (see Psalms 77:17,20; Job 38:16; Sirach 24:5), including "treading on the crests of the sea" (Job 9:8). Peter calls upon Jesus, "Lord, save me!" The Hebrew name of Jesus, Jeshua, literally means, "God saves." Jesus did not command the wind to subside. The presence of Jesus in the boat with the disciples coincided with the end of the wind's threat. The entire group of disciples "did Him homage" and acknowledged Jesus as "the Son of God." The boat was an early symbol of the Church.

The recognition of the identify of Jesus as the Son of God in their midst quieted the storms which surrounded them. The "fourth watch of the night" was 3 a.m. to 6 a.m. It was the same time frame tradition assigns to the discovery of the empty tomb, the hours leading up to dawn. The vision anticipated the final revelation of Jesus as the Risen One in their midst.

I grew up on the shores of Lake St. Clair. I experienced many storms on the lake, which could blow up very quickly out of the west. One particularly nasty storm hit our boat as we were returning from Gull Island. My brother and I were terrified and absolutely drenched! There is no place to hide or stop on the water with a boat. You have to keep going. We couldn't see where we were. One wave broke over the bow of the boat, rolled across the deck and came over the windshield. We went to our "hiding place" under the dashboard.

Our Dad was at the wheel. We knew that he would save us from any disaster. He knew where we had to go and recognized all the small features along the coast when we were able to get close enough. He brought us right into our boat house, despite the threatening waves and driving wind.

A boat can seem very fragile when facing the storms of nature. The Church also faced many different storms throughout its journey of faith. Some people had even predicted that it would not survive the attacks against it and the corruption with it. But when we recognize the presence of the Lord in our midst, the Real Presence, we put aside the fear of being lost. We remember that we are a member of the Body of Christ. Christ is our true head and guarantees the indefectibility of the Church. The success of our journey, our mission, is assured!

Fr. Richard C. Macey is pastor of Our Lady of the Woods Parish, Woodhaven.