Tenth Sunday after Trinity
“ he cried out, “Lord, save me”
Overview
Elijah is knackered. Having publicly opposed the monarchy, started a jihad and slaughtered all the priests of the opposing religion, he flees from a death sentence. Collapsed In the desert he asks to die. At this precise moment, in 1 Kings 19:9-18, God shows up: provides him with food, water and rest and takes him to a place of safety.
The disciples have also exhausted their strength. Our translation of Matthew 14:22-33, tells us that they were “battered” by waves but the original Greek word is best translated as “violently tormented”. They are skilled and experienced sailors yet all their resources have failed. At this moment Jesus turns up and takes them to a place of safety.
What is interesting is how differently the prophet and the disciples respond. Having experienced the presence and power of God, Elijah is reacts by telling God about everything that he, Elijah, has done for God. Peter, however, when he finds himself sinking, reaches out to Jesus with the words “Lord, save me”.
Elijah is unable to let go of his own pride and self-reliance and so, God gives up, tells Elijah to retire and anoint another prophet to replace him. Peter, in contrast, knowing that he cannot save himself, becomes a leader of his people by allowing God to lead him.
We go through most our lives trusting in our own intellect, relying on our own strength. It is only when life tests us, when we fail and we are overwhelmed that God gets a look in. However clever, successful, experienced or resourceful we are, we cannot protect ourselves from the storms of life. Our security lies in God and God alone. The test is whether we continue to cling to our ego and self-will or let go and allow the will of God to carry us to a place of safety.
FIRST READING
1 Kings 19:9-18
When Elijah reached Horeb, the mountain of God, he 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.”
GOSPEL
Matthew 14:22-33
Immediately after feeding the crowd with five loaves and two fish, Jesus made the disciples get into a 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.”
