Homily for the 19h Sunday of Ordinary Time, August 9, 2020. Gospel of St. Matthew 14:22-33. Theme: Light a Candle
Take courage…Do not be afraid! Did you know that those words of encouragement form the most common phrase found throughout the entire Bible? The God who created us, the God who became one of us, knows what insecurity lays at the deepest recesses our hearts. We are often like those disciples on the stormy sea, tossed about by the various experiences and circumstances of life, unable to control the wind and the waves that crash all around us.
I think we are all in a situation like that today. We are in the midst of an international social storm, riding out our lives in a boat that is out of our control. We are being tossed about by fierce winds that first blew out of China causing upsetting waves to crash across the world. And yes, we are powerless over it so fears arise. But we must take courage and realize that we are not helpless, we are not alone in the storm.
That scene of Jesus coming to the disciples on the water during the fourth watch of the night is extremely meaningful to me. But to know why, we first must know what the fourth watch of the night is. You see, in ancient times nighttime, that is from 6PM to 6AM, was divided into four 3 hour sections. These were called “watches” because some residents of a village were assigned to remain awake and keep watch for enemies, fire, etc. was the others slept. So, the fourth watch was 3-6AM. It was pitch black on that sea. In a sky covered with clouds and bursting rain you would be lucky to see your hand before your face!
So, it makes you wonder: how in the world were the disciples able to see a man coming to them a distance away, walking on water and think he was a ghost? It seems to me that Jesus was illuminated by his divinity, glowing mystically like a candle in the darkness for all to see. And that image of Jesus, a light in the midst of the storm, gives me direction and hope today. It makes me think of something else that came out of China centuries before the coronavirus. It’ a proverb that says, “It is better the light a candle than to curse the darkness.”
And I find that proverb, which is simply another way of stating Jesus’ teaching to be light for the world, to be extremely important for us to live by in these days. By taking this it to heart and giving it flesh in our lives we can become for others what Jesus was for the disciples in that boat: a beacon of light in the midst of a storm. Or better put, we can allow Jesus to be the light that shines through us bringing hope and positivity in a time of fear and insecurity.
But in order for us to become that light of Jesus giving hope and direction to others, we need to do two things.
First, we need to have a powerful and intimate relationship of trust in Jesus as St. Peter had. He developed this relationship by spending time with Jesus, observing how he treated others, witnessing his power and miracles, becoming convinced of his divine status as the Son of the Living God come to us in the flesh. We can do this as well through the Eucharist and the Gospels.
We can draw close to Jesus in the Eucharist, receiving him into us through Holy Communion. When possible we can spend time before his Real presence in the Blessed Sacrament. If we cannot get to the church, then we can still unite ourselves in spirit with that Real Presence because the golden box of the tabernacle and the brick and mortar walls of the church cannot restrain or confine our Risen Lord. His Presence radiates out to the whole world and will find us and encompass us wherever we are. And we can behold his power and miracles and absorb his spirit by frequently reading and reflecting upon the Gospels.
Secondly, we must be intentional about becoming a lit candle in the darkness. Every one of us lives, works and socializes in an environment that needs the light of Christ. That means that for every single one of us there is some particular specific way in which we each can become a candle shining in the darkness of today’s storm. What we each need to do is mindfully observe our situation, our environment. See where the darkness is and who is overcome by fear like those disciples in the boat.
Then, we must ask Jesus to show us a specific way in which we can become, among our family, friends and co-workers, that candle which gives light, hope and positivity to others. It’s not just “going to happen” because we think it’s a good idea. We need a plan of action and then we need to mindfully put it into practice. Jesus will, indeed, show us the way if we seek and ask in earnest prayer. He will show each one of us how to take courage, not be afraid and become an instrument of peace and a remedy to the negativity and destruction that looms in our particular little slice of life.
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