Finding God Amidst the Storms of Life
4
Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time August 9, 2020 First Reading 1 Kings 19: 9A, 11–13A Responsorial Psalm 85: 9, 10, 11–12, 13–14 Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation. Second Reading Romans 9: 1–5 Gospel Matthew 14: 22–33 www.stjosaphatparish.org • 773.327.8955 • 2311 N. Southport Ave. • Chicago, IL 60614 In today’s Gospel, the Apostles are in their boat headed across the lake when a storm suddenly comes upon them and the wind and the waves begin to batter their boat. Even though many of them were experienced fishermen, they were afraid because of the intensity of the storm. Their safety was in doubt and they faced the very real possibility of sinking and drowning. Jesus sees them struggling and comes to them. He comes to calm their fears and to save them from the storm. He even allows Peter to join him walking on the water. As long as Peter keeps his eyes focused on the Lord, he walks on the water. His faith is stronger than the storm. But when he focuses on the wind and the waves, his fear returns and he begins to sink. The lesson is clear for all of us. We all face different storms in our lives. Right now, we are all facing storms brought on by: COVID, reopening schools, economic challenges, social unrest, political unrest, etc. It’s easy to focus on these storms and to feel overwhelmed by them. It’s easy to become fearful of what might happen to us or to those we love. But rather than focus on the storm, the problem, the sudden loss of control we feel, we should instead focus on our relationship with Jesus Christ. It’s in those moments that we should ask the Lord to be with us, to give us courage, to help us to remember that, with Jesus at our side, we are greater than any storm we might face in life. How do we turn to the Lord? Through prayer. Not just by reciting a rote memorized prayer but by opening our hearts to the Lord. Cry out with all your heart! Talk to Jesus as you would talk to a friend. Let him know your fears, your doubts, where it is you are struggling. Ask him for the courage and the strength to overcome the storm and to calm your heart and your mind and to restore your peace and your confidence. We can turn to the Lord in prayer in the quiet of our rooms, when we take a walk or as we sit in our garden. We can also come and sit with the Lord when we come to church for prayer and Adoration on Tuesday nights from 7–8 pm. And the best way to encounter the Lord is when we receive him in the Eucharist at 10 am Mass on Sunday or on Friday mornings at 8 am. It’s also there at the Mass that we experience the love and support of our community. We never have to go through our storms alone. We belong to a parish to walk through life together as disciples, as beloved sons and daughters of God our father, and as brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ. Loving each other as Christ taught us; forgiving one another as he taught; and lifting each other up as he taught us. We all face storms from time to time. But with God’s grace, and our faith in Jesus Christ, we can overcome them together. As a parish community united in faith, we can help each other to keep our eyes focused on the Lord. God Bless, Finding God Amidst the Storms of Life
Transcript of Finding God Amidst the Storms of Life
Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
August 9, 2020
First Reading 1 Kings 19: 9A, 11–13A
Responsorial Psalm 85: 9, 10, 11–12, 13–14 Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.
Second Reading Romans 9: 1–5
Gospel Matthew 14: 22–33
www.stjosaphatparish.org • 773.327.8955 • 2311 N. Southport Ave. • Chicago, IL 60614
In today’s Gospel, the Apostles are in their boat headed across the lake when a storm suddenly comes upon them and the wind and the waves begin to batter their boat. Even though many of them were experienced fishermen, they were afraid because of the intensity of the storm. Their safety was in doubt and they faced the very real possibility of sinking and drowning.
Jesus sees them struggling and comes to them. He comes to calm their fears and to save them from the storm. He even allows Peter to join him walking on the water. As long as Peter keeps his eyes focused on the Lord, he walks on the water. His faith is stronger than the storm. But when he focuses on the wind and the waves, his fear returns and he begins to sink.
The lesson is clear for all of us. We all face different storms in our lives. Right now, we are all facing storms brought on by: COVID, reopening schools, economic challenges, social unrest, political unrest, etc. It’s easy to focus on these storms and to feel overwhelmed by them. It’s easy to become fearful of what might happen to us or to those we love. But rather than focus on the storm, the problem, the sudden loss of control we feel, we should instead focus on our relationship with Jesus Christ. It’s in those moments that we should ask the Lord to be with us, to give us courage, to help us to remember that, with Jesus at our side, we are greater than any storm we might face in life.
How do we turn to the Lord? Through prayer. Not just by reciting a rote memorized prayer but by opening our hearts to the Lord. Cry out with all your heart! Talk to Jesus as you would talk to a friend. Let him know your fears, your doubts, where it is you are struggling. Ask him for the courage and the strength to overcome the storm and to calm your heart and your mind and to restore your peace and your confidence.
We can turn to the Lord in prayer in the quiet of our rooms, when we take a walk or as we sit in our garden. We can also come and sit with the Lord when we come to church for prayer and Adoration on Tuesday nights
from 7–8 pm. And the best way to encounter the Lord is when we receive him in the Eucharist at 10 am Mass on Sunday or on Friday mornings at 8 am.
It’s also there at the Mass that we experience the love and support of our community. We never have to go through our storms alone. We belong to a parish to walk through life together as disciples, as beloved sons and daughters of God our father, and as brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ. Loving each other as Christ taught us; forgiving one another as he taught; and lifting each other up as he taught us.
We all face storms from time to time. But with God’s grace, and our faith in Jesus Christ, we can overcome them together. As a parish community united in faith, we can help each other to keep our eyes focused on the Lord.
God Bless,
Finding God Amidst the Storms of Life
August 9, 2020
Today’s gospel is a revelation of who Jesus is in the midst of chaos, and a good example of what it means to walk faithfully in fearful circumstances.
Jesus ordered his disciples to travel ahead of him in the volatile Sea of Galilee, to take some private time with God. He is alone on the mountain in prayer late into the night while his disciples find themselves in a life-threatening situation. After being awake for many hours helping Jesus to feed 5,000 people (the only story contained in all four Gospels) they encounter a fierce storm. A test of endurance and faith for sure!
One can only try to imagine the toll that exhaustion and fear must have taken on them. It would have been quite something to remain faithful in the face of such impending doom—and I imagine that the disciples might have at least been tempted to wonder why such a struggle was happening. They had just finished working hard all day serving Jesus and were doing exactly what he told them to do, so why now are they fighting for their lives?
It was common for the sea to be represented as the abode of demonic forces hostile to God. And it’s easy to see why—the sky is black, the storm is howling, waves are lashing against the boat, the spray of the attacking waves are making it difficult to see or hear much. It is
then, in the midst of this crisis when their energy reserves are spent, that Jesus reveals himself after “the fourth watch of the night” (somewhere between 3–6 am), walking on the chaotic sea. Well, OF COURSE they think he is a ghost (staying up all night can make you delirious!) and are afraid. Even after hearing the Lord’s reassuring voice, Peter isn’t so sure.
It’s Peter’s faith that keeps him above water.
Paradoxically, the storms of life can be blessings. When things are going badly, our hearts are more receptive to God. A broken heart is often a door through which God can find entry. This passage brought great comfort to the early Christians. While not spared suffering and death, they were confident that Jesus would save them even if they were to die.
When Jesus comes to us in the midst of the storm, the storm does not hold the upper hand! God is present with us in the most turbulent places.
Here is our chance to make a difference in the education of low-income kids in the Englewood neighborhood. By the Assumption (August 15), our St. Josaphat Women’s Group is sponsoring a parishwide challenge to donate 100 pounds of gently used + 100 new books to Wentworth School. We have 72 books and about 50 pounds so far—thank you!
Since 2016, we have been working with Books First! Chicago to create libraries in the 70% of Chicago Public Schools in low-income neighborhoods that have none.
Over the past few years, one of these schools, Wentworth, has seen growth in all areas except reading. Reading Coach Jessica Christopher, who has successfully fostered a culture of learning in other CPS schools, has been hired to instill a love of reading in the kids at Wentworth! She can’t do this alone! Our books will play a vital role.
Gently Used: Clean out your bookshelves! We are looking for donations of preschool through elementary level, but we’ll take all kids’ books. DROP OFF at the Rectory Weekdays 9 am–11 am, Saturdays 10 am–1 pm
New: Ms. Jessi has selected some great options on Barnes & Noble or on Amazon (remember to use Smile!), but you may order them from anywhere! Multiples are ok! SHIP TO: Wentworth Book Drive, St. Josaphat Parish,
2311 N. Southport, 60614
Please plan to join us for our book blessing at Mass at 10:00 am on August 16. Ms. Jessi and Wentworth Principal Thompson will be attending.Thank you for your support!
Scripture Reflection
100 lbs + 100 Books
1ST: 1KGS 19:9A, 11–13A 2ND: ROM 9:1–5 GOSPEL: MT 14:22–23
— Tina Smat, Parish Support Specialist
St. Josaphat, Pray for Us!
We’re most in need of: men’s socks and size L/XL sweatshirts, white t-shirts
Parish News
We warmly welcome new parishioners Namnama Pearson and Jack Collins. You will receive our Welcome Kit in the mail.If you are new to the neighborhood, please register through our website at www.stjosaphatparish.org.
Who’s New in the Pew?
Mon. 8/10 7:00 pm Baptismal Preparation* (Church)Tues. 8/11 7:00 pm Holy Hour of Prayer, Adoration and Reconciliation*
(Church)Fri. 8/14 8:00 am Mass* (Church)Sat. 8/15 Holy Day of Obligation — The Assumption of the
Blessed Virgin MarySun. 8/16 10:00 am Mass* (Church), or Watch LiveStream on Facebook *Reservations required
This Week
Giving, July 27–August 2Total ................................ $12,931.00Weekly Need .................. $10,012.50Difference .........................$2,918.50
Give Central Text-to-Give:
Text SUNDAY to 312.625.5666
MassIntentions
Today † Mojmir PastorcizFr. Francis is praying his daily Mass for us and these intentions this week:
Monday † Purgatorial SocietyTuesday Living and Deceased Mothers and FathersWednesday James TrippiThursday Parishioners of St. Josaphat Friday † Rizalina ValdezSaturday Morgan Lyons (Happy Birthday!)Sunday The Landsfield Family
PLEASE INCLUDE IN YOUR PRAYERS
Welcomed in BaptismCharlotte Claire Elaine, child of
David Brooks and Trisha Haubrich
Those in Need of PrayersRalph Bauer, Linda Diaz,
Carole Gassel, Shirley Guignard, Jane Hampson, Teresa Hester, Robert Johnson, Joseph Paglia,
Salvatore Rotella, Marie Sablich, David Shields, Millie Sreenan
Rest in PeaceAnthony Scuito
Free Wine!Would you like to have a free bottle of wine delivered to your home? Sign up for Alpha and we will do just that! Watch the bulletin each week for more details. Alpha begins in mid-September.
Not Catholic? Come and Learn about the Catholic Faith!
This fall our parish will once again offer a process called RCIA, Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults and we would love to have you join us! These sessions are for anyone interested in becoming Catholic. We invite you to learn what Catholics believe in an open and welcoming environment. Our sessions serve as an opportunity for you to ask those perplexing and difficult questions you may have about the Church. This year our sessions will be online. To sign up, or for more information, please contact Mary Jane Sullivan at 708.603.0262 or [email protected] We would love to hear from you!
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