Today's Scripture Readings
1 Kings 19: 9-18 (NRSV)
Psalm 85: 8-13 (BCP., p.708)
Romans 10:5-15 (NRSV)
Matthew 14:22-33 (NRSV)
Blog Reflection
The experience of Elijah in today's narrative from 1 Kings is a favorite among contemplatives. The experience of Elijah finding himself at a point of being unable to do anything more is the basis for an attitude of prayer. Michael Casey writes about this in his book Toward God: The Ancient Wisdom of Western Prayer.
Elijah accepted that he was at the end of his rope. He needed an experience that would set him free from the fear and lack of faith he had. He also had a heart that was open to what God wanted from him. When he was finally on the mountain with the wind, the earthquake and the fire, he did not find God there. God was in the silence, speaking to him with the truth about what was happening around him and giving him a sense of direction.
Our world is full of all kinds of noises. The brutal massacre in Iraq by ISIS and the further threat of violence in that part of the world terrifies us right our heart strings. Our hearts are already broken and frightened by the images of the killings in Gaza because of Israel's attacks there. This coupled with the news of rising violence in Ukraine and Russia can be compared to earthquakes, fires and violent winds. The national news media over excites our sensations and rings the compassion out of us like one squeezes water from a wet sponge.
What is most important during times like these, is to withdraw from the news media on the television, radio and computer and listen to God in the silence of our hearts. The more we talk and debate and try to analyze what is going on, the more our hearts are drawn from what is most important. What is most important is that we listen for God in silence and continue to be drawn into a deepening relationship with God within. We must also surrender any prejudices we may experience, such as assuming that because ISIS is a group of terrorists based on fundamentalist Muslims, all Muslims must be the same. That is simply not true, anymore than thinking that all Christians are fundamentalists. The more we are able to listen to the truth about who God is within ourselves, the more we can improve how we respond to God's presence in others.
Peter experienced that same kind of fear that I think all of us are at this point in time. The storms are shaking the boat of our faith all around us. We feel as if Jesus is distant or non-existent. When we read blog articles about the experience of a Baptist church in Florida, canceling the funeral for a man because they learned that was gay; our hearts are tossed by the stormy winds of anger, frustration and wondering where Jesus is. We may feel as if we are sinking when Jesus tells us to walk on the water. Our faith is shaken.
In response, Jesus says: "Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid." When we cry out in faith, Jesus reaches for us and calls us to put our faith in Him to bring us healing and reconciliation. We need to do more than just pray for Jesus to get us out of the danger. We need to listen more closely to the Holy Spirit draw our hearts back to Jesus to grow closer to God in a bonded relationship that includes the reparation of our community.
When we are feeling the rising tempest around us, how do we call out to Jesus?
When we are confronted by what we must do to overcome an addiction, communicate in a relationship where we have been quiet too long, or get help, do we lose faith and just sink?
How are we responding to Jesus calling out to us?
If we are going to make an impact on the Church and society to address the needs of the marginalized and the needy, we need to give ourselves the time to withdraw and let Jesus heal us to continue on. We have to see the storms inside us and around us as they really are, and listen intentionally to what Jesus may be saying to us in through them. If we are going to call out to Jesus, we need to let go of our fear and trust that what God does in our lives will be for our good. We may have to confront our false sense of self, and allow Jesus to teach us humility through His Death and Resurrection. But, Jesus calls out to us saying: "Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid."
May we all take some time to be silent and listen to God the Holy Spirit and in faith trust God to help us with all our fears and concerns.
Prayers
1 Kings 19: 9-18 (NRSV)
At Horeb, the mount of God, Elijah came to a cave, and spent the night there. Then the word of the LORD came to him, saying, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" He answered, "I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away."
He said, "Go out and stand on the mountain before the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by." Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of sheer silence. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. Then there came a voice to him that said, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" He answered, "I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away." Then the LORD said to him, "Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus; when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael as king over Aram. Also you shall anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king over Israel; and you shall anoint Elisha son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah as prophet in your place. Whoever escapes from the sword of Hazael, Jehu shall kill; and whoever escapes from the sword of Jehu, Elisha shall kill. Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him."
Psalm 85: 8-13 (BCP., p.708)
Romans 10:5-15 (NRSV)
Moses writes concerning the righteousness that comes from the law, that "the person who does these things will live by them." But the righteousness that comes from faith says, "Do not say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?'" (that is, to bring Christ down) "or 'Who will descend into the abyss?'" (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say?
(that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. The scripture says, "No one who believes in him will be put to shame." For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him. For, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."
- "The word is near you,
- on your lips and in your heart"
But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"
Matthew 14:22-33 (NRSV)
Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, "Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid."
Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!" Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."
Blog Reflection
The experience of Elijah in today's narrative from 1 Kings is a favorite among contemplatives. The experience of Elijah finding himself at a point of being unable to do anything more is the basis for an attitude of prayer. Michael Casey writes about this in his book Toward God: The Ancient Wisdom of Western Prayer.
Once I have confronted and accepted -- as far as possible--that I am a needy person, the act of turning toward God is relatively easy. It is not faith in God that is hard, but the renunciation of illusory faith in myself. To turn toward God means, first, turning away from whatever is untrue or delusory -- no matter how much comfort it brings. (Page 5).
Elijah accepted that he was at the end of his rope. He needed an experience that would set him free from the fear and lack of faith he had. He also had a heart that was open to what God wanted from him. When he was finally on the mountain with the wind, the earthquake and the fire, he did not find God there. God was in the silence, speaking to him with the truth about what was happening around him and giving him a sense of direction.
Our world is full of all kinds of noises. The brutal massacre in Iraq by ISIS and the further threat of violence in that part of the world terrifies us right our heart strings. Our hearts are already broken and frightened by the images of the killings in Gaza because of Israel's attacks there. This coupled with the news of rising violence in Ukraine and Russia can be compared to earthquakes, fires and violent winds. The national news media over excites our sensations and rings the compassion out of us like one squeezes water from a wet sponge.
What is most important during times like these, is to withdraw from the news media on the television, radio and computer and listen to God in the silence of our hearts. The more we talk and debate and try to analyze what is going on, the more our hearts are drawn from what is most important. What is most important is that we listen for God in silence and continue to be drawn into a deepening relationship with God within. We must also surrender any prejudices we may experience, such as assuming that because ISIS is a group of terrorists based on fundamentalist Muslims, all Muslims must be the same. That is simply not true, anymore than thinking that all Christians are fundamentalists. The more we are able to listen to the truth about who God is within ourselves, the more we can improve how we respond to God's presence in others.
Peter experienced that same kind of fear that I think all of us are at this point in time. The storms are shaking the boat of our faith all around us. We feel as if Jesus is distant or non-existent. When we read blog articles about the experience of a Baptist church in Florida, canceling the funeral for a man because they learned that was gay; our hearts are tossed by the stormy winds of anger, frustration and wondering where Jesus is. We may feel as if we are sinking when Jesus tells us to walk on the water. Our faith is shaken.
In response, Jesus says: "Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid." When we cry out in faith, Jesus reaches for us and calls us to put our faith in Him to bring us healing and reconciliation. We need to do more than just pray for Jesus to get us out of the danger. We need to listen more closely to the Holy Spirit draw our hearts back to Jesus to grow closer to God in a bonded relationship that includes the reparation of our community.
When we are feeling the rising tempest around us, how do we call out to Jesus?
When we are confronted by what we must do to overcome an addiction, communicate in a relationship where we have been quiet too long, or get help, do we lose faith and just sink?
How are we responding to Jesus calling out to us?
If we are going to make an impact on the Church and society to address the needs of the marginalized and the needy, we need to give ourselves the time to withdraw and let Jesus heal us to continue on. We have to see the storms inside us and around us as they really are, and listen intentionally to what Jesus may be saying to us in through them. If we are going to call out to Jesus, we need to let go of our fear and trust that what God does in our lives will be for our good. We may have to confront our false sense of self, and allow Jesus to teach us humility through His Death and Resurrection. But, Jesus calls out to us saying: "Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid."
May we all take some time to be silent and listen to God the Holy Spirit and in faith trust God to help us with all our fears and concerns.
Prayers
Grant to us, Lord, we pray, the spirit to think and do always
those things that are right, that we, who cannot exist without
you, may by you be enabled to live according to your will;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Proper 14, Book of Common Prayer, p.232).
Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom no sword is drawn
but the sword of righteousness, no strength known but the
strength of love: So mightily spread abroad your Spirit, that
all peoples may be gathered under the banner of the Prince of
Peace, as children of one Father; to whom be dominion and
glory, now and for ever. Amen. (Prayer for Peace, Book of Common Prayer, p.815).
Gracious Father, we pray for thy holy Catholic Church. Fill it
with all truth, in all truth with all peace. Where it is corrupt,
purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where in any thing it is
amiss, reform it. Where it is right, strengthen it; where it is in
want, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it; for the sake
of Jesus Christ thy Son our Savior. Amen. (Prayer for the Church, Book of Common Prayer, p. 816).
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