Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)
I Kg 19.9, 11-13;
Ps 84;
Rom 9.1-5;
Mt 14.22-33
Let us briefly consider what has already taken place on this day, as recorded by St. Matthew in the passage leading up to today's reading. Firstly, Jesus heard about the murder of His cousin, John the Baptist; then He healed many people; and finally, He performed the remarkable miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fish, which symbolizes the future Eucharist. In numerous ways, He showed compassion to the crowds following Him. He was always tuned in to their needs and willing to provide for them, tending to their physical and spiritual well-being, comforting them with His words, and ultimately nourishing them with His own body.
Understandably, Jesus needed some time alone to pray, to be with His Father. His example of taking time out for private prayer, in between busy moments, teaches us that we also need to carve out time for reflection and conversation with God. If our schedules are so packed that we think there’s no time to pause, we need to cut back on some demands and make that time happen. Without this personal connection with God, our faith weakens; we become less able to respond to His love and to share that love with others. It might be tempting to think, “I go to Mass every Sunday— isn’t that enough?” The honest answer, though somewhat tough, is no— it’s not enough. While attending Mass brings many graces, especially when we receive the Eucharist, if we don’t reinforce this with private prayer, it can become mechanical and routine. We might find ourselves attending Mass without really paying attention, as if we’re going through the motions.
In today's first reading, we hear about Elijah's time alone with God, when He revealed Himself in a gentle whisper. That is one of the most personal ways God speaks to us, but not the only one. If we stay too busy making noise, we’ll miss His voice. Both Elijah and Jesus show us the importance of solitude: Elijah went to a deserted mountain, and Jesus withdrew to the hills for prayer. We should find our own quiet space to follow their example.
The Second Vatican Council reminds us that spiritual life isn’t confined to participating in the liturgy; it involves praying with others, but also praying alone in secret to our Father in heaven.
Saint Paul expresses his deep sorrow and ongoing anguish for those in his care. How does he cope? He says he does so by uniting himself with Christ and allowing the Holy Spirit to work within him. Prayer is the key to this union. Saint Paul's simple yet powerful advice is, “Pray without ceasing.' When we feel overwhelmed with our busy lives, let’s remember his incredible dedication—his travels, preaching, writing, and suffering for Christ. He teaches us that through constant prayer, we receive the strength from God to carry out His divine will, as he writes to the Philippians: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Perhaps we’ve promised ourselves to be more prayerful, to carve out quiet moments with God, but often those resolutions falter. Without ongoing prayer, our faith can weaken, just like the disciples on the boat fearing sinking. Like Peter stepping out onto the water, we might cry, “Lord, save me!” Making room for prayer on the mountain will be worth it—God will reward us. As we deepen our relationship with Him, more time will open up in our lives for everything else, and we’ll find less reason to fear sinking.
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