Message from Fr. Robert Tywoniak

Blessed Sacrament Catholic Parish

1Kings 19:9a, 11-13a
Psalm 85
Romans 9:1-5
Matthew 14: 22-33

The Still Small Voice.
The Bold Command.
Take Courage.

Sometimes we must wait to experience the divine presence of God. It is not that God is not already present, rather, each of us needs to prepare and situate ourselves in such a way that we recognize the Lord’s nearness. Sometimes it is subtle as in a still small voice. Other times it is in a bold command. Today’s scriptures show these two voices of God, still small and bold, in two different characters from Salvation History. First is Elĳah and the second is Peter.

Elĳah was told to wait for God to visit him. He did so. He waited in a cave on top of a mountain.

Elĳah had his own expectation as to what God would look like if one could see Him. His expectation was not accurate, however. He was of the prevailing mindset that if a mere human being did see the face of God, it would mean one’s death. Yet, Elĳah followed God’s instructions. He waited outside the shelter of the cave until the Lord passed by.

All kinds of tribulations occurred as Elĳah stood there. It was as he expected, one would guess. But none of the tribulations was the embodiment of God. God was not frightful. God was calming in quietude.

The stillness, calm and tranquility were profound. What manifested was the God of quiet strength. His appearance was not noisy. The quietude was attractive. This peaked Elĳah’s interest. God was in the still small voice, “a tiny whispering sound.”

In the Gospel story, Peter rises to be tested. The tumultuous sea tossed the disciples in their boat. The Lord Jesus sent them out ahead of him and a tumult rose up against them.

As the event went on, Jesus set out to meet up with them.

Did he know the storm was coming?
Why did he permit the men to go out into danger?

Jesus was a master of dramatic anticipation.

What was he planning to do?
What was the master going to teach his audience?

The observer focuses in and looks intently at Jesus.

At this point it seems the men were more afraid of him than the sea. “It is a ghost….” So, with authority, Jesus said, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”

Then Peter calls out, ”…If it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” Jesus calls Peter forward.

What was Peter looking for? Was he qualifying Jesus?
That is, did Jesus have to satisfy his credentials with Peter?
Was Peter wanting to be like Jesus?
Did he want the power that Jesus had?
Or was Peter so awed with Jesus’ mastery over the powers of nature that he now knew Jesus must be divine and he wanted to be with Jesus?

As Peter stepped out of the boat, he began to falter. Fear overcame him and he began to sink. He shouts, “Lord save me!” Jesus reaches out his hand. He catches Peter and says, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

When have any of us been in Peter’s boat or on Elĳah’s mountain?
For Peter, the challenge confronting him was great at the moment. “Help me Jesus, Lord!” Yet, Jesus’ suggestion to overcome the threating situation seems more dangerous than the current one.

I must give witness here. Challenges have confronted me many times. With careful discernment I have come to see God was placing a solution or remedy to the challenge in my view for my consideration. Yes, it has occurred to me more than once, the God given solution was not what I was looking for. All I could see was the tumult. The voice of God either seemed too timid or too absurd in some way. Yet I knew it was God’s voice. I had to rely on the Lord’s wisdom and proceed in Faith. I had to take courage.

If you who are reading this column, are at least half my age, you have been confronted by life experiences such as these. You have heard the still small voice and the bold command.

Elĳah and Peter went the way of the Lord. I have and you have too. And given our lives are not over yet, we will again.

Keep listening for the still small voice and the bold command. Take courage.

Fr. Robert Tywoniak
Pastor