Sunday, August 10, 2014

Today's Liturgical Readings.

19th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Day of Prison Ministry.

First Reading: 1 Kings 19:9, 11-13; Psalms 84[85]:9-14; 

Second Reading: Romans 9:1-5; Gospel: Matthew 14:22-33.

First Reading: 1 Kings 19:9, 11-13

At that place 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 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?”

Psalms 85:9-14

Surely his salvation is at hand for those who fear him,

that his glory may dwell in our land.

Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet;

righteousness and peace will kiss each other.

Faithfulness will spring up from the ground,

and righteousness will look down from the sky.

The Lord will give what is good,

and our land will yield its increase.

Righteousness will go before him,

and will make a path for his steps.

Second Reading: Romans 9:1-5

I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience confirms it by the Holy Spirit— I have great sorrow and unceasing 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, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises; to them belong the patriarchs, and from them, according to the flesh, comes the Messiah, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.

Gospel: Matthew 14:22-33

Immediately he 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.”

Focus: '.... the Messiah, who is over all' (Romans 9:5)

On this day of Prison Ministry how many of us remember those prisoners who, for whatever reason, are condemned and locked up by society? Their very existence is forgotten. Yet, they are weak humans, like us. Those who dedicate themselves to the prison ministry go through great emotional upheaval to lead the inmates to Christ. No shouts of praise fill the quiet corridors of the prison. Yet if a penitent whispers, "Lord, save me!" (Matthew 14:30). God's merciful reply can almost be heard. 

Indeed, the Lord knows no distinctions and pours out His mercy on all (Focus). Saul of Tarsus (St. Paul) was a devout Jew who steeped himself in the teachings of Judaism and was considered a stoic Pharisee. He would stop at nothing to make Christians pay the price for breaking the religious law. Yet, on the road to Damascus, a man of His stature and pride broke down and yielded to the love of Christ in what was one of the greatest conversions for the sake of the Gospel. 

If even Saul could be transformed, why should we condemn the poor prisoners - imprisoning ourselves in negativity, hate and censure? The next time we do so, we must stop and ponder if such feelings are appropriate towards those created in the image and likeness of God.

Fruit: Let us pray for prisoners, for those in the prison ministry, and for ourselves - that we may be freed from judging others.