HOMILY FOR THE 19TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A. (1)

HOMILY FOR THE 19TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A.

THEME: What does the word, “Doubt” mean for you?

BY: Fr. Justus Oruma.

(a) I would call Doubt a challenge which brings about uncertainties caused by a situation presenting two or more contrary possibilities. In doubt, certainty is lost. In doubt Trust is difficult due to the uncertainties. This was the challenge of Elijah among the factors before him; the strong wind, the earthquake, the fire, the gentle breeze. Elijah upon feeling feeling the presence of God in the gentle breeze entrusted himself to it. Elijah was able to find and hold to God amid the challenges.

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(b) The challenges of Doubt is clear in the story of Peter. He was already waking on the stormy waters following the call of Jesus. The strong wind became challenging. He began to see two possibilities: either walking or sinking. He then began to doubt whether he would be able to overcome this big one. He was uncertain and could not place his trust on Jesus amid the challenges. He then began to sink.

(c) Doubt is a normal life experience but it is exactly at the occasion of the uncertainty due to Doubt that Faith plays it’s role. Faith is the opposite of doubt. When our sense and logic begins to count many contrary possibilities in challenging situations, Faith in God keeps us unmoved and firm. Faith is casting trust in God who is firm, always faithful and does not change. Many move from one confession to another or have lost Faith, even at the barest challenge of life. . Philosophy says “in Doubt do not act” because the reason cannot offer certainty. The only act would to use Faith and trust God. We must have to have Faith. When we lose Faith, we sink and get drowned by the challenges.

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