Aug. 9th

Post date: Aug 11, 2020 4:13:59 PM

August 9, 2020 Homily by Fr. Karl Schray

Elijah and Peter were both sinking but they reached out

in different ways to God who they knew was present.

When the disciples see Jesus walking on the water,

he summons them to faith—a way of approaching reality

that entails leaving behind our old way of measuring things

and seeing all according to this Person who calls to us.

Yet we should not be surprised that Christ often comes in ways that

“underwhelm” us, as Elijah found out in that tiny whispering sound.

For Jesus comes to us in simple ways, seen only with the eyes of faith:

the pouring of water over an infant’s head; a whispered conversation

within a confessional, bread and wine consecrated

in the middle of the day as the world rushes on.

Sometimes we forget-- “we live and move and have our being” in God.

The life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the origin of all that is,

the destiny of all that is yet to be, has revealed to us the inner depth of reality: We are loved.

It takes a lifetime of prayer, struggle, and grace to accept this truth

and to live confidently within it. Storms try our faith;

they must not triumph over it. Jesus alone can still the waves.

Catholics retain a very ancient Christian practice. We cross ourselves.

Pretty silly to do it before a free-throw,

but it is a quite natural gesture when we are overwhelmed.

We trace the sign of the cross on the brows of those about to be

baptized,

and we imprint it with oil on the foreheads of those who are dying.

It should remind us that we are not in control,

and it should do more than that. It should remind us who is.

We sign ourselves with the cross of Christ,

the great revelation of God’s love.

“Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”