Homily For Tuesday Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time Year A, 8th August, 2023. The Memorial of St. Dominic

Readings: Num. 12:1-13, Ps 51, Matt. 14:22-36

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

 

LORD SAVE US FROM THE HEAVEY STORMS OF THIS PASSING WORLD

 

One of the most difficult situations for those who are into marine and sea business is to be on the sea with heavy storms. A situation where the need to look for a Saviour is highly expected. Such was the case with the disciples of Jesus in our Gospel passage today. For When Jesus received the news of John the Baptist’s death, he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side while he would send the crowds away. When evening came, he was there alone, while the boat, by now far out on the lake, was battling with a heavy sea storms.

 

So as the waves were breaking over the boat, the disciples cannot believe that Jesus has seen them, and is approaching. Hence, they were afraid and needed help from anywhere. It was at this point that they saw Jesus walking on the sea and he said to them: “take courage, it is I, do not be afraid”. But Peter said ‘if it is you Lord, tell me to come to you across the water.’ ‘Come’ said Jesus. Then Peter got out of the boat and started walking towards Jesus across the water, but as soon as he felt the force of the wind, he became afraid and began to sink. So he cried out ‘Lord! Save me!’ Jesus put out his hand at once and held him.

 

This story signifies God's chosen people on a transit of faith, frightened by the guilt of sin and wounded by the waves of the sea the abode of evil forces and monsters of this world. The boat can be taken as a symbol of the young Christian Church struggling with the world’s principalities and powers, while the storm is a symbol of persecution suffered by this young Christian community.

 

And Jesus says: "Do not be afraid". This no doubt is what humanity are passing through today in the hands of few selfish evil men and women who have decided to destroy humanity by trying to recreate human beings into an artificial machine against the natural way God has created us in order for few of them to control the lives and activities of all. And this is even worse in our country today where only few greedy and selfish individuals are inflicting pain and suffering on the people.

 

Today, humanity need to humbly cry out like Peter, Lord save us for we are sinking into the destructive hands of the evil powers of this sinful world. Hence we are called to trust in the Lord and hope in his promises and providence. For it is time for us to listen to God and hold onto him more closely. Let us not be like Aaron and Miriam in our first reading, who spoke against God and Moses but were punished for there sins, rather let us learn to be humble like Moses who was known as the most humbled man on earth with good intention for the people entrusted to him.

 

Therefore, we are called to let every moment of difficulties and trials lead us to grow in faith and knowledge of God’s power and authority, just like St. Dominic whose memorial we celebrate today. For he helped the faithful to renew their faith and commitment in God through deepening of their spiritual lives, especially through the use of the rosary as a prayer, which eventually became one of the most popular of all devotions in the Church, through which countless souls have been converted to the Lord, through the intercession of the blessed Virgin Mary.

 

Dear friends, Jesus is calling us today to journey on his boat of life with an unwavering faith and a repented heart because, the world is being tossed around by the waves of evil forces, the enemies of humankind. And it is only God that can subdue it, for he has promised to restore us back to himself, if only we can trust in him completely.

 

So, I don't know the great storms of doubt and fear in your soul? Are you under the power of the evil forces of this world? I don’t know how long or deep you have been involved in this evil? All I know is that with great faith in God, the words of Jesus: “Do not be afraid, take courage, it is I,” will surely resound in the hearts of all his children who live in hostile environment and are victims of the evils in this world.

 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, save humanity once again, grant that the violent storms and waves of bondage in our lives will end in a wonderful calm that brings peace in our souls. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Wishing you the best of God’s favour and blessed.