Homily for Proper 14 A,

My sisters and brothers, let us seek the Lord even in the most unexpected places.

In our first reading we have the conclusion of Elijah’s flight from the people who want to kill him. He has traveled far through the wilderness and nearly died of thirst and starvation. Mysteriously aided by an angle, he now arrives at Horeb, “The mount of God.” Though various phenomena, such as wind, storms, earthquakes, fire, herald the God’s presence, they do not constitute the actual presence of God. Who, like the mysterious silence, is perceivable only in the soul.

In the second reading we heard, Paul makes the rhetorical point, no one will bring Christ down from heaven, or up from the dead. Christ is with-in all who confess him. He goes on, “there is no distinction between Jew and Greek,” there is one Lord of all, who is generous to all that accept him.

Our gospel is the familiar story of Jesus walking on the water. But the miracle story can obscure for us some of the subplot, or “story with in the story.” Prior to Jesus feeding the 5000, he received news that John the Baptist was killed by King Herod. He tries to find a privet place to grieve/pray but the crowds follow him. Now he finally gets his privet time to pray and then catches up to this disciples by walking across the water to their boat. The point of the miracle story is that nothing is beyond the power of God and that Jesus is the one! Which the disciples proclaim.

An interesting side note, the comment that this happened, “early in the morning” (v. 25) is a bit of translator’s license. The Greek word indicates that it took place “before dawn.”

As Elijah traveled to reach safety with God; Jesus traveled to find solitude and support in his Father- we also must put effort into seeking God in our lives. God does not impose himself on us. But He is close for all who seek Him. And seek Him we must. However, as we seek God we must be prepared to encounter Him in unexpected ways: Elijah found him in silence and stillness rather than in examples of power. Jesus in the solitude that followed an unexpected ministry opportunity. The Apostles found him in a shocking manifestation of power as Jesus approached them walking on a storm tossed sea.

Four or five years ago, I shared a poem with you about my encounter with God, back in Kansas City, wile walking one of our dogs. I am going to share that with you again as an illustration of what I’m driving at.

Husky

God if you made this Siberian Husky I'm walking
Friendly and loving to a fault
yet ready to pounce on any squirrel.

Tale curled high with excitement
oblivious to the frigid water he walks through
wile snow drifts down to catch in his fur.

If you made this husky,
sniffing the ground diligently
with a mound of snow flakes on his nose.

Powerful enough to drag our eight-year-old,
on her belly, through tall summer grass
and gentle enough to kiss her crying face.

Who welcomed me home
with a dance and a howling rooooing song
who now gases out the window with me, wile I pray.

Then O Lord, you are awe inspiring indeed
loving and frightening
the power-filled creator taking playful joy in his work.

Loving and forgiving
with out end
yet just and terrible in accusation.

Giver of deadly blizzards
and soft warm breezes
deserving of respect, devotion and love.


My brothers and sisters, we simply need to make a point of praying each day and keeping an open mind and heart for God’s blessed surprises.