The WORD today reminds me that I should work on my relationship with God.
Angry people, especially when fighting, usually shout. Their voices are very loud and their words strong. This is in sharp contrast to lovers, who talk silently and whisper to each other. Some say this is because the words reflect the state of the hearts. Lovers have hearts who are close to each other, that why a whisper is enough, while angry people have hearts far away from each other thats why they have to shout.
God wants us to be able to hear him when he whispers to us.
In the first reading, we see again Elijah. God's word came upon him that he would meet God outside where he was staying. However, God was not in the mighty and loud things. Strong winds. Earthquake. Fire. God was not there. Instead, he was in a tiny whispering sound. God does not shout at us. He wants us to be able to hear him in his small soft voice.
The only way we can hear God is if we work on our relationship with him.
Elijah was able to recognize God in a tiny whispering sound, despite the mighty and strong manifestations, because he was close to God. He had a very good personal relationship with Him. His heart was close to God. We also see this in the gospel when Peter was able to walk on water. He had a good relationship with Jesus so when he was focused on Jesus, he was able to walk n water.
We should work on our relationship with God. God gave us ways of building and deepening our relationship with him - prayer, the sacraments, service, the bible. There are a lot of ways we can get to know him more. We just need to want it. We just need to make the decision, because it is not always easy to do so.
Nowadays, it is very important to work on our relationship with God. There are a lot of loud distractions. Covid cases in the country. Government response. Corruption. Seems frustrating. But this is the time when we need to be sensitive to God’s voice. His little voice amidst everything loud happening. He is still here. He is still alive. And his voice should guide us, strengthen us, and remind us to do something good in our own little way no matter what the situation is.
How is my relationship with God? Do I hear him in the small things? Am I sensitive to God? Do I work on my relationship with God? How can I further improve my relationship with God?
May we be inspired by Elijah's relationship with God, and work to have something similar, so we can hear God when he whispers to us.
Father God,
Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another Sunday. Thank you for another chance to love and serve you. Thank you for the reminder. Lord, sorry for the times I take you for granted. Sorry for the times I work on other things except my relationship with you. Sorry for not giving you the importance you deserve. Help me have a relationship with you like Elijah. Help me do things that will build and deepen our relationship. I want to always hear and recognize you as you come to me in a tiny whispering sound. I love you lord. Amen.
Blessed Sunday!
In Christ,
-g-
August 09, 2020
19th Sunday in Ordinary Time; St. Edith Stein
FIRST READING
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.
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
R. 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.
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.
SECOND READING
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.
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.
ALLELUIA
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I wait for the Lord; my soul waits for his word.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I wait for the Lord; my soul waits for his word.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GOSPEL
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.”
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