HOMILY OF THE 19TH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME — YEAR A
HOMILY OF THE 19TH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME — YEAR A
HOMILY THEME: KEEP YOUR EYES ON JESUS!
BY: Fr. Anthony O. Ezeaputa, MA
1 Kings 19:9a, 11-13a; Romans 9:1-5; Matthew 14:22-33
In today’s Gospel (Matthew 14:22–33), Jesus teaches his disciples through a storm at sea, frightened disciples, Peter walking on water, and the calming presence of Christ. This encounter reveals that the secret to persevering in the storms of life is to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus.
Immediately after feeding the five thousand, Jesus sends the disciples ahead of him in a boat while he withdraws to a mountain to pray. This detail is significant. Although Jesus is the Son of God, he regularly seeks solitude in prayer. If Jesus considered prayer essential, how much more should we value it? Prayer is not merely something Christians do when convenient; it is the source of strength that enables us to face life’s challenges. It should be our way of life.
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While Jesus is praying, the disciples encounter a violent storm. The waves batter their boat, and they struggle against a strong headwind. Several of these disciples were experienced fishermen who knew the Sea of Galilee well, yet even their skill and experience prove insufficient. The storm reminds us that in life, we have limited control over many situations. No amount of education, wealth, influence, or experience can completely shield us from suffering.
Every one of us experiences storms. Some of us face the storm of illness, others the storms of finance, family conflicts, loneliness, anxiety, grief, disappointment, or uncertainty about the future. Sometimes we find ourselves asking, “Where is God? Why does he seem absent?” The Gospel reminds us that although Jesus may appear distant, he has never abandoned his disciples. While they are struggling on the sea, he is watching over them.
Matthew tells us that during the fourth watch of the night, i.e., between approximately three and six o’clock in the morning, Jesus comes walking toward them on the water. The disciples, already terrified by the storm, mistake him for a ghost and cry out in fear. Fear often distorts our vision. When anxiety dominates our hearts, we can fail to recognize God’s presence even when he is very nearby. Jesus immediately reassures them: “Take courage; it is I; do not be afraid.” These words echo throughout Sacred Scripture.
Again and again, God tells his people not to be afraid because he is with them. The expression “It is I” is especially significant. In Greek, Jesus says, “ego eimi” (“I AM”), which recalls God’s self-revelation to Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3:14). Matthew is showing us that the one walking upon the waters is the God who once parted the Red Sea and now walks upon it.
Peter, always courageous and impulsive, responds, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” Jesus simply says, “Come.” Peter steps out of the boat and begins walking on the water. As long as his eyes remain fixed on Jesus, he does what is humanly impossible. But the moment he notices the strength of the wind, fear overtakes him. He begins to sink. This is one of the most beautiful lessons in the Gospel.
Peter does not sink because the wind becomes stronger than before. He sinks because his attention shifts from Christ to the storm. The same happens to us. We begin to lose peace when we focus more on our problems than on God’s power, more on our fears than on God’s promises, more on the darkness around us than on the light of Christ. The storms themselves may not have changed, but our focus has. Yet Peter does something profoundly wise.
He does not pretend he can save himself. He cries out with one of the shortest and most powerful prayers in the Bible: “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus stretches out his hand and catches him. Matthew deliberately uses the word “immediately.” God’s help may come in unexpected ways or moments, but Christ always supports those who sincerely call upon him.
Jesus then says, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” Notice that Jesus does not ask, “Why did you fail?” He asks, “Why did you doubt?” This is because the greatest obstacle in Christian discipleship is often not weakness but a lack of trust in God.
Once Jesus enters the boat, the wind ceases. The disciples respond by worshipping him, saying, “Truly, you are the Son of God.” This is one of the clearest professions of faith in Matthew’s Gospel. The miracle goes beyond merely calming a storm. It is about recognizing that Jesus is God made flesh. What, then, does today’s Gospel ask of us?
First, make prayer your first response, not your last resort. Jesus himself withdrew to pray before facing the needs of the crowds and the demands of his ministry. Second, remember that storms are not signs that God has abandoned you. Often, they are opportunities to discover his presence more deeply. Third, focus on Christ instead of your fears. Problems become overwhelming when they become larger in our minds than the God who accompanies us. Fourth, never hesitate to pray Peter’s simple prayer: “Lord, save me!” Sometimes the shortest prayers are the sincerest and the most powerful.
Finally, remember that faith does not mean living without storms. Faith means trusting that Christ is with you in the midst of your storms. The saints experienced storms. The apostles experienced storms. Even Peter, the future leader of the Church, experienced storms. But none of them journeyed alone, because Christ was with them.
Today, let us bring before the Lord every storm in our lives, including our worries, illnesses, disappointments, struggles, and uncertainties. May we hear Jesus speaking to each of us today: “Take courage; it is I; do not be afraid.” And may we have the faith to keep our eyes fixed on him, knowing that no storm is greater than the Lord who commands the wind and the sea. Amen.
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