Readings
1 Kings 19:9, 11-13; Psalm 85; Romans 9:1-5; Matthew 14:22-33
Homily
Experience: A girl, a student like one of you, is in the dormitory fast asleep. Suddenly she sees three mad dogs at the door, running towards her to attack her. She tries to run away from them, but as she trie into the neighbour’s house to take refuge, she finds the door locked. As she is trying to pass by the back door, she meets this huge snake with its mouth wide open to grab her by the neck. The dogs are after her, and this huge snake is in her way. She looks at the tree nearby and runs to climb it. The first branch she grabs, breaks and she falls back on the ground. In her helpless situation she screams for help, but no one seems to be nearby to help. She continues to cry for help, no one comes to her aid, and yet the dogs and the huge cobra-snake continue to get closer to her: help, help, help…..
My question is to all of you: What type of help would you offer to such a girl? And what kind of prayer would you pray to help or rescue her out of her terrifying situation?
The answer would be, if you hear her screaming in her sleep, either to go to her bedside and shake her and wake her up; or pray that she wakes up, and gets over the dream, because after all she was dreaming.
Where do our dreams come from? From our experiences in life: situations that we went through in the past; those that we are currently going through; or those that we think will happen in future. It is from some of those experiences and situations that our dreams come from. They can also come from the stories we hear, news on TVs or radio, events on the road, at school or from those places we have visited, or hope to visit. Some dreams borrow from good, happy events; some dreams imitate the unpleasant situations, or fearful events that leave us stressed and traumatised.
What are some of the examples of situations or things that cause fear to you, students? Domestic violence, lack of finances to take you through school, examinations, sicknesses, etc.
Know that fear is as old as humanity itself: First Reading: Prophet Elijah running away from King Ahab, who wanted to kill him…Read earlier chapters. He hides in a cave praying and hoping for God’s help.
The disciples on the boat: the violent waves and the stormy waters are almost sinking their boats. Waters on the lake or at sea can be dangerous; recently over 30 people drowned on Lake Victoria. In the midst of fear and panic the disciples even can no longer recognise that it’s Jesus walking on water towards them. They think they are looking at a ghost!
We all have fears of all sorts; some minor, some major. Some imaginary, and some real…[snakes, rats, bees, butterflies, lizards (“John”), etc.
What lessons do we get from today’s Word of God, that can help us address some our social, academic, psychological, spiritual fears?
Peter: crying out, when faced with difficult situations…
Jesus: taking time of to be quiet and engage into prayer. And, these days we tend to think that the Lord can only answer our prayers through loud prayers of intercession, shouting or singing on top of our voices, amidst drums, musical instruments etc. Yet, listen to the experience of Prophet Elijah – READ TEXT….(1 Kings 19:11-14). In a small whisper of wind or a little breeze. God listens to His Son Jesus in the quiet of the hills, in the silence of the evening, when no body is around. From the mountain, Jesus comes with authority to even rebuke the violent wind and restore peace and calm over the waters. What does Jesus advise as method for prayer: * do not pray as hypocrites do…Go to your room, close the door, and engage in deep prayer. In order to pray well, we all need to develop deeper relationship with the Lord, by spending time with him in prayer. If you do that, I promise you, you’ll pray, and you’ll get the courage to overcome your fears, or they will become less and less. Amidst your troubles and fears, you’ll hear Jesus say to you, as he did comfort his disciples: “Courage, it is I; do not be afraid!”
In that loving relationship with the Lord, what should we expect when we pray? YES, NO, or NOT YET…
Prayer: AMEN
Fr. Bonaventure Turyomumazima
Kagongo- Ibanda
Footnotes
Matthew 6:5 "When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.
Matthew 6:6 But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.
Matthew 6:7 "And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words.
Matthew 6:8 So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.