HOMILY FOR TUESDAY OF THE 18TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME CYCLE II
THEME: “Courage! It is I! Do not be afraid!”
BY: Fr. Diotacious Chikontwe SMA
HOMILY FOR TUESDAY AUGUST 2 2022
*READINGS OF THE DAY*
Jeremiah 30:1-2,12-15,18-22
Psalm 101:16-21,29,22-23
Matthew 14:22-36
*LITURGICAL COLOUR*
Green
*FROM THE FIRST READING*
In our first reading today, we heard the words of the Lord speaking to us from the Book of the prophet Jeremiah in which the prophet spoke of God’s words to His people, the Israelites particularly in Judah, a people who had become wayward in their ways, wicked in their deeds and who had fallen away from the path of God’s righteousness. They had abandoned God, His Law and commandments, persecuting all those whom God had sent to them to remind and call them to repentance. As such, God said that by their own wickedness and deeds, they would be judged and would have to suffer the consequences of their sins.
*FROM THE GOSPEL READING*
In our Gospel passage today, we heard the famous story of how the Lord Jesus appeared to His disciples in the middle of a great storm by the lake, in which the disciples’ boat was travelling in. The storm, the gale, the wind and the waves were so intense that the boat was in real danger of being sunk, and the disciples must have been very terrified. It was then that the Lord miraculously appeared before them, in the flesh, as He walked towards them on the raging waters. As we heard from the Gospel, the disciples were initially frightened and spooked out, thinking that they had seen a ghost.
*WHAT DO WE LEARN FROM TODAYS LITURGY?*
Dear brethrens, Jesus spoke into the chaos: “Courage! It is I! Do not be afraid!” His words were commanding, consoling, and inviting.
Let us recall past moments in our life where the Lord proved himself faithful and trustworthy. Let’s look to salvation history. He promised that “You will be my people and I shall be your God” (Jeremiah 30:22). Let’s bank our act of trust on the proof of his fidelity. God has sent his Son into the chaos to redeem us.
*CONCLUSION*
The disciples taught us the way. They recognized the Lord and proclaimed their newfound discovery. “Truly you are the Son of God!” No amount of chaos or apparent limit to one’s faith impedes the most free and profound act of the human person: adoration and worship of the Lord. In situations that create turmoil, anguish, upset, or instability, we step out of the boat towards the Lord in faith. We hear his voice. We prostrate before him and profess our faith, “Truly you are the Son of God!” In this profession, we discover our identity as a beloved son or daughter in the Son whom he has come to rescue from the depths of Sheol.
May the blessings of God accompany you now and forever. Amen.
Fr. Diotacious Chikontwe SMA