19A , SEMINARY COLLECTION 2014 BOYNES
This weekend we are taking up the collection for seminary education. This is an annual collection in our diocese that just began in recent years since God has blessed us with a growing number of seminarians. So I'll be mixing in some comments about them with my homily today. And for those who are visitors: you are also being served by priests in our diocese, so don't be shy about helping us to train or future priests as well!
Our readings this weekend apply not only to our seminarians- we all need to trust in The Lord as we face doubts or challenges in our journey. Elijah had won great victories by relying on God's strength. He'd been fed by God's angel while he was fleeing from enemies. Yet our first reading finds him hiding in a cave. So God calls him to "Go outside," and The Lord would make His presence known.
Do we ever find ourselves hiding in a cave when we should be seeking Him?
The Lord was not in the strong wind, the earthquake or the fire. We don't always get a bold sign. God's voice was in the "tiny whispering sound." Elijah would not have heard it from inside his cave. You had to be listening, expecting. What a lesson for us, whether discerning our vocation or dealing with life's challenges. It pays to develop our ears of faith. The more we practice that habit of quiet listening, the more sensitive we become to God's whispers.
Elijah learned that God is the 'Master of the Unexpected.' So did I. Never in a million years did I think God would call me to the priesthood! Or that His voice would come through a radio commercial. Thank God for surprises!
First thing I did when I heard that calling was to talk to my pastor. It reminds me of the call of Samuel (1 Sam 3). He was hearing God's voice, but didn't recognize who it was. But Eli did, and helped Samuel to listen and respond. Our pastors and elders can do the same for us. Maybe you can do it for others.
Back to Elijah. All this took place on a mountain, in that day the traditional place for encountering God's presence. In our tradition, that place is the altar - by participating in this encounter which Christ established for us. There are certainly other encounters with the Lord, especially Scripture and the other sacraments. But the Second Vatican Council reminded us that this encounter is the source and summit of the Christian life.
The Gospel reading today is a great lesson for us, both as individuals and together as Church. The disciples' boat "was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it." But Christ was with them and brought them through the storm. Our Church has faced persecution, false teachings, groups splitting away, corruption, and scandal. And Christ sees us through.
Today we face strong winds against us in our culture. Our brothers and sisters face terrorism and martyrdom in Iraq and Africa, among other places. And Christ will lead us through.
As individuals, we face sorrow, fear, despair, temptations and other storms that rock our boat. We need that relationship with Him so that we're aware of His presence in those storms. We build that relationship through prayer, through sacraments, through spending time in His word. Building that relationship makes it natural to call out to Him for help as Peter did.
It's tempting to criticize Peter for a lack of faith. But it took a great leap of faith to step out of that boat. "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." And that faith allowed him to walk on the water, until he lost focus. He only sank when he focused on the storm instead of on Christ. Fear can paralyze us.
But he did the right thing: he called on The Lord for help. Peter represents all of us who dare to believe the claims of Jesus, yet stumble or lose focus along the way.
Christ is right next to us, waiting for us to reach our our hand.
The "little faith" of Peter was strengthened that day. It was still not perfect - he would deny Christ three times during His passion. But eventually Peter would become the Rock on which Christ would build His Church. And he'd willingly return to Rome to face a martyr's death. I'm sure the memory of that day on the water helped give him that courage.
The storms of life can bring about great blessing. In nature, storms remind us of our mortality, our finite nature. The spiritual storms we face can remind us of our need for God's grace. Sometimes a broken heart is the opening through which Christ can enter.
The Lord asked Peter to do something impossible: to walk on the water. Those preparing for priesthood are being asked to something that's impossible without God's help. Our collection for seminary expenses is not just about educating our future priests. It helps pay for spiritual directors and mentors who help them listen to God's voice, to discern where The Lord is leading them.
On my own, I'm not worthy to stand at this altar, or sit in that confessional. Only God's grace allows it. Those of you who rely on His grace in your marriage know the same thing, and you're a great inspiration for us who are called to the Priesthood. So are you elders in the faith. You inspire us more than you could ever know.
At some point, Christ will ask all of us to do what seems impossible, or laughable, or foolish:
getting out of bed, or leaving the beach, to come to Mass - even if those around us don't;
choosing life when other choices seem easier; saving yourself for marriage; remaining faithful to your spouse; risking your job to preserve your integrity...we will be called to 'walk on water' when the winds are blowing against us.
What are the storms that toss you about in your life? What are the winds that blow you off course?
Let the words of Christ echo in our hearts - those words that came to His disciples across the raging waters:
"Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid"