Homilies & Commentaries: 19th Sunday Year A

1 Kings 19:9, 11-13

Bishop Barron Homily: “Elijah” = Yahweh is God. The man’s very identity is related to an absolute clarity about what is of value. Spiritual order main question = Who or what is your God? your final preoccupation? what matters the most to you at the end of the day? when you can answer this, you know who you are. Are you a money-man? a pleasure man? a playboy? What do you worship? What is of highest value for you? –> Elijah is all about God. Based on this, we can now understand everything Elijah says and does. Elijah’s great virtue = able to discern the difference – not wowed by the world – but rather listens and waits – then is able to give himself to the true God alone. VS. Secularism = cultural incapacity to hear the tiny whispering voice. We need a whole army of Elijah’s now – our culture has gone over to the worship of false gods. People able to listen to the tiny whispering voice.
Elijah was fleeing from Jezebel to Mount Horeb.
How did Elijah know it was God?
That the Lord is not in the mighty wind, the earthquake, or the fire, but rather in the gentle whisper is a lesson for the prophet. God, in His own way without great fanfare will work His will for Israel. Notice that Elijah does not come out until the calamities have passed. Hiding his face in his cloak may be a method of self-preservation: who can look upon God’s face and live (Exodus 33:20).

Psalm 85

Romans 9:1-5

St. Paul’s anguish for his fellow Israelites: Having spoken of the future glory that awaits Christians & the present conquering power of living the Christian life, Paul now laments for his fellow Jews who have failed to recognize the messiah.

Matthew 14: 22-23

Peter and the other disciples in the boat (in the Church) – that’s all of us throughout the centuries making our way throughout the world – met by great winds – an echo of Elijah story… Just as we can be defined by what we seek and love… we can also be defined by our fears. What are you afraid of? What is your biggest fear? Often, we can become defined and determined by our worldly fears… in the midst of the storm, Jesus comes walking on the water. “I am” = the divine power. He is the God who can ride any storm. Can transcend anything that frightens us. Peter keeps his eyes on Christ = good. But identifies himself with fear (waves) = sinks.

Some key thoughts:

Jesus is Lord of all creation.

Jesus saw them in the storm.