“Come!”
Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
1 Kings 19:9a, 11–13a / Psalm 85:8 / Romans 9:1–5 / Matthew 14:22–33
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Reflecting on the Word
By Dr. Karla J. Bellinger
In the Gospel, the disciples battle a headwind. The sea is rough. Their boat struggles. In the first reading, Elijah has clashed with King Ahab and Queen Jezebel and has run from their death threats. Now he experiences an earthquake and crushing rocks and violent wind. What a lot of trouble in both stories! Do you ever feel pandemonium swirling around you?
In the turbulence, Elijah hears a “silent sound.” He knows the whisper of his God and comes to meet God at the entrance of the cave. From the surface of the stormy sea, Jesus says one word to Peter: “Come.” Peter recognizes the call of his Master. He steps out of the boat.
“Come!” Often, we think about what that means to us. But what does this vibrant beckoning say about the reality of who our God is? The Almighty has the raw power to rock mountains. The Son has the authority to still violent seas. The Spirit hovers over creation. Yet at the core of that Triune sovereignty is the resounding call: “Come!”
We hear “Come!” in the call of the disciples. We hear it in “Let all who thirst, come!” We hear it in “The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ ” Jesus reveals to us how deeply we are desired: “Come to me.” Augustine says that our hearts are restless until they rest in God. How much more restless is God’s heart for us?
God’s “Come!” enfolds our entire being. We are wanted. That same divine command triggered the process of our birth—we are desired on earth. A heavenly “Come!” will set the process of our death in motion: we are sought after in heaven. No matter what, the chaos will not win. We have nothing to fear. Radiant delight surrounds us at all times.
Consider/Discuss
- The eternal “Come!” can be so quiet that we have to tune our spiritual senses to perceive it, for in the bedlam of life, we may miss it. What of the chaos can we “turn down” in order to hear more carefully the still small voice of our Beloved?
- Peter steps out of the boat after he recognizes the call of Jesus, the Master. The rest of the disciples do not. Which of the characters in the story do you identify with? Would you stay in the boat? Would you step out onto the water? Why or why not?
Living and Praying with the Word
Jesus, you summon us in prayer, “Come to me!” You beckon us when we are heavily laden. You call to us when we are afraid. You want to give us your peace. At the same time, you know that we push back. You even know why, when we do not. Lord, strengthen our spiritual powers so that we grow more sensitive to hearing you. You are restless for us. Open our hands and help us come to you.