1 Kings 19:9, 11-13 / Romans 9:1-5 / Matthew 14:22-33
In a country, or in an organization, or in a group, there is always a need for a leader.
When there is a leader, then there will be unity and stability.
The leader will be the one who will make decisions and give directions.
So, a good leader will have to know the way, show the way and also lead the way. A leader won't just imagine the way and talk about the way and then go away.
So, leadership skills are not just about theory and strategy. It is about leading others in a journey and keeping the unity.
So, when there is no leader, or when there are too many leaders, then there will be problems, just like too many cooks all spoil the soup.
But when there is a leader, and the leader is not present, the strength and the weakness of the group will be exposed.
In the gospel, Jesus made the disciples get into the boat, and go on ahead to the other side, while He would send the crowds away. And then he went up to the hills to pray.
When evening came, the boat, by now far out on the lake, was battling with a heavy sea.
Certainly, the disciples in the boat were afraid as they were facing a mortal danger.
Though, they were in the same boat, they may not have the same idea, as each would be thinking about his own survival.
In such a situation, the strength and weakness of the individual, as well as the group, are exposed.
Probably, everyone in the boat was panicking, but was there anyone who was praying?
Probably not, because they were so terrified that when they saw Jesus walking on the water, they thought He was a ghost.
The disciples forgot about all that Jesus had taught them:
- About the promise that where two or three are gathered in prayer, He will be there.
- About faith that can move mountains, and calm the storms.
We may not go sailing that often, so we may not know how terrifying the storms are at the sea.
But even on dry land, we know about the storms of life.
And these storms can make us forget about the teachings of Jesus, and we think only for ourselves and about ourselves.
And storms will rattle family, the Church community, and the country.
We just celebrated National Day, and we know how important it is for unity in our country.
We also know how storms can break up families when they are not united.
The Church has also faced the storms of faith that made us doubt and be skeptical and cynical.
But let us believe that Jesus, our Saviour and Leader, is always present.
And He wants us to be signs of His presence in the Church as well as in the world.
So, it is not about me, but it is about we.
It is about unity, it is about community.
Because alone I “say”, but together we “talk”. Alone I “enjoy”, but together we “celebrate”. Alone I “smile”, but together we “laugh”.
That is the beauty of unity, that is the power of community.
When we are united in prayer, Jesus will always be present to lead us, and we will have the power to witness to Jesus as the Saviour and Leader of the world.