God bless you!
NINTEENTH SUNDAY
The biblical image of climbing a mountain is that of seeking God in prayer.
Horeb or Sinai is the mountain top where Moses went to meet God and received the 10 Commandments and in today’s first reading Elijah went in search of God’s consolation and experienced Him in the still breeze.
Mount Tabor is the mountain where Jesus took Peter, James and John where they could be alone and He was transfigured before them speaking with Moses and Elijah. “This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him.”
In today’s Gospel, Jesus went up the mountain by himself to pray. Meanwhile in the boat the disciples were being tossed about by the wind and waves. Jesus came walking toward them on the water and they were terrified. Peter said, Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water. Jesus 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!”
As long as Peter kept his attention on Jesus, he was safe. When he focused his attention on the wind and waves, he became afraid and began to sink. Jesus is more powerful than the wind and waves, because He subdued them. Jesus teaches us how to keep our attention focused on the Lord in prayer.
Our Lord wanted to be by himself to pray and he finally got the chance after sending the disciples ahead and dismissing the crowds himself.
Like Moses and Elijah on Sinai, Christ “went up on the mountain by himself to pray.” Later, these two Old Testament prophets will appear with Christ on the mountain of the Transfiguration to speak of Jesus’ “exodus.”
Our own Horeb will be someplace we can be alone: “But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you (Mt 6:6). We experience the power of God in the quiet breeze, like Elijah in our prayer.
