19TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME A
REPLACE FEAR WITH FAITH
MT. 14: 22-33
MESSAGE
The disciples in today’s Gospel are shown trembling with fear. They thought they saw a ghost and they shouted in fear. Peter was walking on the water, like Jesus did, until he was frightened by the strong winds. Years ago, I found this material from a renowned preacher and I want to share his wisdom with you: “Do not activate your fear. Activate your faith. Do not put your faith in your fears. Fear and faith may seem like opposite but they have something in common; both ask us to believe in something we cannot see. Fear tells us to believe in the negative; faith tells us to believe the positive. Fear warns that we will never be happy; faith assures us that our best days are yet to come. What you meditate on takes root. If you go around all day thinking about your fears, they will become a reality. It will paralyze you to the point of burying the treasure within you. Fear will try to dominate your thoughts. If you will allow it, fear will keep you awake at night. Fear will steal your joy. Fear will steal your enthusiasm. Focus on your faith. Let God deal with your fear. Your fears will become more powerful when you dwell on them. Even small fears become terrifying when you blow them out of proportion.” This is a great lesson for Peter and the disciples to learn. It is even a greater lesson for us to hear, believe and accept today when many fears threaten to deprive us of peace and joy.
REFLECT:
Looking at the situation of your life today, do you think you have enough faith to combat your fears? Do you have faith that Jesus has given you power, has equipped you with all that you need to surmount whatever difficulty you are presently confronting? Speak to Jesus about your fears and ask for faith to put them all to rest. Have faith that Jesus is always there to rescue you like he did to Peter. Ourparishpriest 2023
