Why do we give up so easily?

Readings for August 10, 2011

Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

                                           Id-Dsatax-il Ħadd matul is-Sena                                            

Missalin A  p348 

Reading 1                           1 Kings 19:9a, 11-13a
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.  This is the Word of The Lord.

L-Ewwel Lezzjoni  -   mill-Ewwel Ktieb tas-Slaten19, 9a, 11-13a

Fdak iż-żmien, Elija wasal fil-Ħoreb, il-muntanja tal-Mulej. Hemmhekk daħal fl-għar u għadda l-lejl ġo fih.  U Alla qallu:   "Oħroġ u oqgħod fuq il-muntanja quddiem il-Mulej."  U ara, il-Mulej għadda.  Riħ qawwi, b'saħħa li jofroq il-muntanji u jfarrak  il-blat,  għadda quddiem il-Mulej, imma l-Mulej ma kienx  f'dan ir-riħ.    U wara dan ir-riħ theżhżet l-art  imma l-Mulej   ma kienx f'din it-theżhiża.  U wara  t-theżhiża kien hemm in-nar, imma l-Mulej ma kienx fin-nar.    Wara n-nar inħasset żiffa ħelwa. Elija, kif ħassha, għatta wiċċu bil-mantell,  ħareġ barra, u  waqaf f'bieb l-għar.     Il-Kelma tal-Mulej

Responsorial Psalm         -  PSALM  85:9, 10, 11-12, 13-14

R. (8) 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.

Salm Responsorajali    -   Salm 84 (85)

                R/    Uri lilna, Mulej, it-tjieba tiegħek.

Ħa nisma' xi jgħid Alla;

il-Mulej is-sliem ixandar

għall-poplu u l-ħbieb tiegħu.

Qrib hi tassew is-salvazzjoni tiegħu

għal dawk li jibżgħu minnu,

biex jgħammar is-sebħ f'artna.                 R/

It-tjieba u l-fedelta' jiltaqgħu,

il-ġustizzja  u s-sliem jitbewsu.

Il-fedelta' mill-art tinbet,

u l-ġustizzja mis-sema tixref.                     R/

 Il-Mulej ukoll jagħti l-ġid tiegħu,

u artna tagħti l-frott tagħha.

Il-ġustizzja quddiemu timxi,

u s-sliem fuq il-passi tiegħu.                      R/

Reading II           -         Romans  9:1-5

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.  This is the Word of The Lord.

It-Tieni Lezzjoni    -  mill-Ittra lir-Rumani 9, 1-5

Ħuti, ngħidilkom is-sewwa fi Kristu, m'iniex nigdeb, tixhidli l-istess kuxjenza tiegħi fl-Ispirtu s-Santu, li jiena mnikket għall-aħħar, u dejjem qalbi maqsuma;  nixtieq li kont jiens stess maqtugħ minn Kristu minħabba  f'ħuti,  nies ġensi skond il-ġisem; l-Iżraelin. Tagħhom hija l-adozzjoni ta' wlied Alla u l-glorja,  il-pattijiet u l-Liġi, il-liturġija u l-wegħdiet, tagħhom  huma l-patrijarki;  u kien minnhom li skond il-ġisem,  ħareġ Kristu, li hu fuq kollox, Alla nbierek għal  dejjem ta' dejjem.  Amen!  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej  

Gospel     -     Mattthew 14:22-33

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.”  This is the Word of The Lord. 

L-Evanġelju  -   skond San Mattew 14, 22-33

Wara lin-nies kielu u xebgħu,  Ġesu' minnufih  ġiegħel lid-dixxipli jitilgħu fuq id-dgħajsa u jmorru qablu x-xatt l-ieħor, sakemm jibgħat  lin-nies.  Wara li bagħat lin-nies, tela' waħdu  fuq l-għoljiet biex jitlob.  Xħin sar filgħaxija  kien għadu hemm fuq, waħdu.  Id-dgħajsa kienet diġa' f'nofs il-baħar titħabat mal-mewġ,   għax kellhom ir-riħ kontra tagħhom.   Fir-raba' sahra   tal-lejl mar lejn in-naħa tagħhom miexi fuq il-baħar.   Huma rawh miexi fuq il-baħar u twerwru.   "Dan xi fantażma!" qalu;  u qabdu jgħajtu bil-biża'.   Iżda hu minnufih kellimhom u qalilhom:  "Agħmlu l-qalb, jien hu, tibżgħu xejn!"  Wieġeb Pietru u qallu:  "Mulej, jekk huwa int,  ordnali  niġi  ħdejk fuq l-ilma."  "Ejja,"  qallu Ġesu.   Pietru niżel mid-dgħajsa, u  qabad jimxi fuq l-ilma u  jersaq lejn Ġesu'.   Iżda meta ra li r-riħ kien qawwi, baża',  ħabat jegħreq, u beda jgħajjt u jgħid: "Salvani, Mulej!"   Malajr Ġesu' medd idu u qabdu:  "Bniedem ta fidi zgħira,"  qallu,  "għaliex iddubitajt?"  Meta mbagħad it-tnejn telgħu fid-dgħajsa, ir-riħ waqaf.  Dawk li kienu fid-dgħajsa nxetħtu jqimuh u qalulu:   "Tassew, int Bin Alla!".  Il-Kelma tal-Mulej   

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Biblical Reflection for the 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A

by Fr. Thomas Rosica, CSB, CEO, Salt and Light Catholic Media Foundation

A Prophet’s Depression, an Apostle’s Grief and a Disciple’s Fear

Chapter 19 of the First Book of Kings presents us with the aftermath of Elijah’s brilliant victory in the contest with Jezebel and the priests of Baal atop Mount Carmel. Just when Elijah should have been triumphant, he receives a message telling him of Jezebel’s murderous intentions, and he is “afraid”.  The spectacularly exemplary servant of God is now in a rut- believing that all of his efforts were in vain!  In chapter 18, Elijah was at the height of success; in chapter 19 he is in the depths of despair. In chapter 18 he is on the mountain peak of victory; in chapter 19 he is in the valley of defeat. In chapter 18 he is elated; in chapter 19 he is completed deflated.

In today’s first reading from 1 Kings 19:9a, 11-13a, Elijah must learn that God is not encountered in the sound and fury of loud and spectacular events.  God will not be conjured up by the zealous or boisterous activity of the prophet who now stands quiet and distressed atop the Lord’s mountain. Though various phenomena, such as wind, storms, earthquakes, fire (Exodus 19:18-19), may indeed herald the divine presence, they do not constitute the presence itself which, like the tiny whispering sound, is imperceptible and reveals in a deep way the true face and presence of God. The Hebrew expression “still small voice” literally means “a voice of low whispers, a sound of gentle stillness.”  Though the wretched Jezebel was thundering, she was not in control.  Though God was silent, He was not absent.  Elijah’s God and our God is the God of signs and wonders but He is also the God of whispers and gentleness. Only when Elijah’s mind and heart are finally depleted of ambition and self-promotion, is God ultimately heard.

Elijah’s struggle with depression   -   Mount Horeb is the place forever associated with the source and essence of Israelite faith.  The story of Elijah in the cave on Mount Horeb is the classic example of one struggling with depression and burnout.  Eventually it touches everyone – even God’s chosen people, his fiery prophets and leaders, his apostles and disciples!  Elijah’s depression wasn’t due to one single cause; it was linked to several things.  At the root of depression is almost always some form of fear.  How often are we like Elijah, fearful of failure, of being alone, unable to complete a task given to us, incapable of success, weak in perseverance, patience, and hope?

The second factor is failure.  Elijah had a very low self-esteem.  Elijah was in a long line of prophets who also tried to address Israel’s lack of faith and apostasy and he was no more successful than his ancestors. How often do we feel that our efforts were in vain? That we weren’t able to make a difference, just like those who went before us?  How often do we think that we contributed to the problem rather than being part of the solution?  How often have we failed: the job didn’t work out.  The relationship went sour.  The marriage broke up.  The addiction made me lose everyone and everything I had.

The third factor is fatigue, exhaustion and burnout.  Elijah was physically exhausted and emotionally empty.  This is the great danger of peak experiences.  It is the risk of those who get lost in their work and mission, who are blinded by their own zeal, and have become crusaders and saviours bound for burnout rather than humble disciples and ministers who are poor servants, simply doing their tasks.  Elijah didn’t take time to rest and relax, to sit back and see what God was doing around him.

The fourth factor can be described as plain futility.  Elijah feels alone, hopeless and has little hope for the future.  He suffers from paranoia, thinking that everyone is out to get him.  He looks at the world through very dark glasses.  He doesn’t see any way out of his existential conundrum.  How many of us are afraid, lonely, exhausted, burned out and without any hope?  How many of us have given in to despair, cynicism, meanness of spirit and smallness of heart?  How many of us have lost our faith in a God who can reverse barren wombs and empty tombs?

Elijah’s therapy    -    In order for Elijah to revive and renew his strength, he needed to get away.  He needed physical, emotional and spiritual rejuvenation.  He had been so busy taking care of the needs of the nations that he had neglected the needs and concerns of Elijah himself.  Elijah talked through his frustrations as he sat in the cave atop the mountain. In the midst of his feeling sorry for himself, God asked him point blank: “What are you doing here, Elijah?”  God knew full well what Elijah was doing there.  In fact, God helped him to get there!  God listened patiently and non-judgmentally as Elijah poured out his feelings of anger, bitterness and self-pity.  Notice what God didn’t say to the pathetic prophet: “Elijah, my prophets don’t talk like that!” God didn’t make him feel guilty for his feelings. Instead God accepted him and listened to him.

What happened to Elijah happens to us, especially when we pay much more attention to negative events than to all the good that is happening around us.  It happens when we are very hard on ourselves, and take ourselves far too seriously, and God not seriously enough!  God intervened in Elijah’s state and reminded him that his vision of life, his understanding of events, his view of God were terribly distorted.

Elijah needed to know that God was there and that there were indeed others who had not bowed down to Baal.  Elijah thought he was the only one who was still faithful to God.  God allowed Elijah to sit in the dark cave of self-pity just so long.  There was a new king of Israel and a new prophet to be anointed. The time for complaints and self-pity were over; Elijah now needed to get back to work.  What can we learn from this whole episode atop the mountain?  Perhaps the best way to stop feeling sorry for ourselves is to start feeling compassion for others.

Great sorrow and anguish   -    Today’s second reading (Romans 9:1-5) raises some significant questions for us.  When was the last time you pleaded with a lost person to accept Christ? How does the possibility of being rejected affect the passion with which you share the gospel?  When you share the gospel, how convinced are you about its power to save the lost?  About its ability to change the habits of sinners?   About its real need in today’s modern society?  What sacrifices are you willing to make in order to see the lost members of your family, your friends or members of your faith community return to Christ or perhaps come to him for the first time?

“Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”    -      In Sunday’s moving Gospel story (Matthew 14:22-23) set on the lake, the disciples, laboring against the turbulent sea, are saved by Jesus.  Jesus’ power is expressed by his walking on the choppy waters (Matthew 14:25; Psalm 77:20; Job 9:8).  Jesus challenges Peter to also walk on the waters!  Because of Peter’s fear and weak faith, he begins to sink.  When Jesus stretches out his hand and catches Peter, he reminds his disciples and the Church in every generation of his constant care for us.  He teaches us that no storm will overturn the boat in which we sail, and no water will swallow us up in darkness.

At certain times in our contemporary Church history, everything seems to indicate shipwreck, fear, drowning and death.  But let us be honest and realize that the Church goes on, saving souls and journeying to its final harbour. In that blessed realm, beyond the seas of this life, all the things which threaten God’s Church in this world will be gone for ever.  At those times, we must listen to the Lord, as Peter did, and cast the nets again into the deep – for it is our faith that is being tested – not as to whether we profess it or not – but as to whether we are ready to do something about it or not.

Let us never forget this fact: we are on the waters with Jesus.  He is in the boat with us, during the night and during the storms.  The Lord does not abandon those who come seeking His mercy and His forgiveness. He walks upon the waters.  He calms the storm. He guides the boat into safe harbor, and brings with Him the great catch, the great feast, to which we are all summoned – the daily feast of His Body and Blood, our food for eternal life.  This is cause for rejoicing!