Lectionary: 115
Reading 1
1 Kings 19:9a, 11-13a
At the mountain of God, Horeb,
Elijah came to a cave where he took shelter.
Then the LORD said to him,
“Go outside and stand on the mountain before the LORD;
the LORD will be passing by.”
A strong and heavy wind was rending the mountains
and crushing rocks before the LORD—
but the LORD was not in the wind.
After the wind there was an earthquake—
but the LORD was not in the earthquake.
After the earthquake there was fire—
but the LORD was not in the fire.
After the fire there was a tiny whispering sound.
When he heard this,
Elijah hid his face in his cloak
and went and stood at the entrance of the cave.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 85:9, 10, 11-12, 13-14
R/ (8) Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.
I will hear what God proclaims;
the LORD — for he proclaims peace.
Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him,
glory dwelling in our land.
R/ Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.
Kindness and truth shall meet;
justice and peace shall kiss.
Truth shall spring out of the earth,
and justice shall look down from heaven.
R/ Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.
The LORD himself will give his benefits;
our land shall yield its increase.
Justice shall walk before him,
and prepare the way of his steps.
R/ Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.
Reading 2
Romans 9:1-5
Brothers and sisters:
I speak the truth in Christ, I do not lie;
my conscience joins with the Holy Spirit in bearing me witness
that I have great sorrow and constant anguish in my heart.
For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ
for the sake of my own people,
my kindred according to the flesh.
They are Israelites;
theirs the adoption, the glory, the covenants,
the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises;
theirs the patriarchs, and from them,
according to the flesh, is the Christ,
who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.
Gospel
Matthew 14:22-33
After he had fed the people, Jesus made the disciples get into a boat
and precede him to the other side,
while he dismissed the crowds.
After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray.
When it was evening he was there alone.
Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore,
was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it.
During the fourth watch of the night,
he came toward them walking on the sea.
When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified.
“It is a ghost,” they said, and they cried out in fear.
At once Jesus spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”
Peter said to him in reply,
“Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”
He said, “Come.”
Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus.
But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened;
and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught Peter,
and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
After they got into the boat, the wind died down.
Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying,
“Truly, you are the Son of God.”
REFLECTION
SOURCE: One Bread One Body
THEME: GOD IS WHISPERING TO YOU
"After the earthquake there was fire – but the Lord was not in the fire. After the fire there was a tiny whispering sound." –1 Kings 19:12
The Lord is whispering to you. For years, He has been preparing you to hear this whisper. In this whisper, the Lord will reveal to you the greatest work of your life. Thousands of people will be transformed by the Lord, if you hear and act on His whisper. You must hear God's whisper.
The Lord whispered to Elijah that he should anoint Hazael, Jehu, and Elisha (1 Kgs 19:15-16). Elijah was also to make Elisha his disciple (1 Kgs 19:16). So Elijah anointed and discipled Elisha (1 Kgs 19:19), who anointed Hazael (2 Kgs 8:7ff). Moreover, one of Elisha's disciples anointed Jehu (2 Kgs 9:1ff). These three anointings and the discipling of Elisha transformed the nation of Israel by purging it of the abominations resulting from the reign of Ahab.
The Lord is also whispering to you to make disciples of your children, godchildren, and friends. Jesus spent all of His public ministry making disciples. He commissioned us to do the same (Mt 28:19). In making disciples, we let ourselves and our disciples be "transformed from glory to glory into His very image by the Lord Who is the Spirit" (2 Cor 3:18). As transformed Christians, we in turn transform the world. We are empowered by the Spirit to renew the face of the earth (Ps 104:30).
The Lord is whispering to you: "Disciple, disciple." Do it.
PRAYER: Father, clean out my ears by cleaning my heart.
PROMISE: "So Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water, moving toward Jesus." –Mt 14:29
PRAISE: Alleluia! We have been baptized into Jesus' death and resurrection (Rm 6:3ff). Alleluia!
Be an inspiration, kindly Share.
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