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Appleton, WI

Homily Connect: Aug 9

Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, August 9, 2020

1KGS 19:9A, 11-13A   ROM9:1-5   MT 14:22-33

Scripture

After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When it was evening, he was there alone. Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore, was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it. During the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them walking on the sea. When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified. “It is a ghost,” they said, and they cried out in fear. At once Jesus spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”

My Stormy Defining Moment

  • The Mississippi River, The Houseboat, The Storm

Boats and Storms on the Water are not a Good Combination

  • Ask the disciples of Jesus who are being tossed about on the Sea of Galilee

What About the Storms of Life that Unsettle us while we are on Land

  • What have the storms been in your life?
  • Exterior storm like living through the pandemic?
  • Interior storm like struggling with a betrayal or addiction?

We are all in the Same Boat

  • We need to row together
  • We all believe in Jesus-We have faith
  • More importantly, do we all trust in  Jesus
  • Jesus says, “Take courage, it is I, don’t be afraid.”

My Daily Mantra-Prayer Always in my Heart

“Into your hands Lord, I place my life.”  “Let be done to me Lord as you say.”

Elijah Implies God is not in the Storm

  • He is in the silence and stillness

I Believe God is also in the Storm

  • I believe that God is in the storms of  our life and never leaves us

Beautiful Message from Pope Francis

“Jesus, you are calling on us to seize this time of trial as a time of choosing…a time to choose what matters and what passes away, a time to separate what is necessary from what is not. It is a time to get our lives back on track with regard to you, Lord, and to others…We realize that we are in need of salvation. We are not self-sufficient; by ourselves, we flounder. We need you, Lord, like ancient navigators needed the stars. Like your disciples, we will experience that with you, Lord, on board, there will be no shipwreck. Because this is God’s strength: turning to the good everything that happens to us, even the bad things. You bring serenity into our storms, because with you, life never dies…We have an anchor and a rudder and a hope: by your Cross we have been healed and embraced so that nothing can separate us from your redeeming love.”

Questions for Reflection

  • What impacted you from today’s Readings and/or homily?
  • What are the greatest storms in your life right now? How are you dealing with them?
  • On a scale of 1 to 10, where would you place your trust in God during the storms of your life? Has it changes over the years?
  • Does your faith/trust help others  close to you through the storms of their life)

Live Connected

  • Be aware of how you are responding to the storms in your life
  • Place the mantra and message from Pope Francis from today’s homily in a visible place for inspiration