<p><em>We are surrounded by noise bombarded by information. Perhaps unwittingly like Elijah and Peter in todays readings we instinctively believe God will shout over everything and everyone else. But todays reflection reminds us that Love generally does not overpower others rather Love whispers from within our hearts.</em></p><p><strong>August 13 2023: the Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A</strong></p><p>1 Kings 19:9a 11-13a</p><p>Psalm 85:9 10 11-12 13-14</p><p>Romans 9:1-5</p><p>Matthew 14:22-33</p><h3></h3><h3><strong>Focusing on the Whispers</strong></h3><p><em>A reflection by Thomas DeVoyd</em></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Todays first reading is an important reminder for me. Elijah is trying to hear the voice of God. He stands in the mouth of the cave in which he is hiding and listens. What is he listening for? What is the expectation? It seems to be the same expectation that some other Jews of that era had for the Second Coming: a huge spectacle earthquakes fires and the crashing of rocks etc. A mighty God would speak in a mighty way. The reality for Elijah and most of us is much different. Encounters with the Divine in the Hebrew Scriptures could be spectacularthe rains of Noah (Genesis ) and the pillar of fire in Abrahams covenant (Genesis )but they were more often in subtle dreams ( ) and quiet voices (Samuel ). Has that changed much in all this time? Do we now focus on God and so we can hear Loves voice? If we were being honest maybe we could use more work on that. Social media has changed how we focus. There is so much negativity. I follow an Orthodox Christian on Twitter. All he says about the Catholic Church is how evil it is. I agree there are things this church needs to work on. I think it is beginning to work on them. I still think we are waiting for the big crash to know God is speaking to us. We like Elijah need to listen for Loves whisperperhaps especially in the experiences of the marginalized in our communities. Then we may hear Gods voice.</p><p>In todays second reading Paul reminds the Israelites of the blessings that God gave them. They were given the covenants and the promises. They were saved and blessed. Paul feels cut off from his people. He is judged and his life is in constant danger for what he believes. He is spreading a gospel that people may not be ready to hear. I think it must be likened to saying we can hate the act but love the person. The problem then becomes how do we decide what acts should be hated? How do we decide? Is it based on the latest poll? Some people hate the LGBTQIA+ community for who we love. There are still many people that feel that way. Also there are people not only trying to destroy faith communities but any religious beliefs. Calling the Bible a book of stories or fables. We are told that we can only rely on ourselves. If we are not careful we listen to only certain people because all others are wrong or phobic. But we are ALL blessed and that is what we need to remember.</p><p>In the gospel passage Peters faith is testedit fails. Peter asks Jesus to have him walk on the water. Jesus obliges but when Peter realizes how bad the weather is he begins to sink. In that moment Peter loses faith in Jesus. Had Jesus done anything to him in the past to make him think that he would not be safe? From what we know Jesus had shown many other times that he was trustworthy loved Peter and was willing to die for him (and each of us). At that time Peter could not think of all that because of what was going on in the outside world. He focused on the rough waters and doubted the power of Jesus love. In doing so Peter lost his safety net. How often do we lose our trust? When people question it? When it is not the popular belief? When we allow others to tell us how and if to believe? Perhaps our problem is that with all the earthquakes crashing around us we are not focusing on the whispers.</p><div><div class=titan__email-divider>&nbsp;</div><div class=titan__email-divider><img src='https://www.dignityusa.org/sites/default/files/tom.png'></div></div><div class=mobile-full><div class=mobile-full><em><strong>Tom DeVoyd</strong> is a nurse in long term care and works with resident with Dementia. He is an advocate for his residents and has a Masters Degree in Nursing in Adult Psych/ Mental Health. He is also an advocate for the LGBTQI+ community. Tom currently lives in a small town in NH with his partner of years Phil. He enjoys reflecting on the scriptures and focusing on the world of when the scriptures were written.</em></div></div><p style=text-align: center;><a class=btn btn-primary href=https://dignityusa.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/dignityusa/subscribe.jsp?subscription=8>Subscribe to Breath of the Spirit</a></p>