This weekend we celebrate the 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time, and we hear from the Gospel of Matthew, 1 Kings and St. Paul in the Letter to the Romans. As imperfect disciples—which we all are—we must ask ourselves 3 questions based on the key messages of today’s readings: (1) Where do we search/look for God—where do we hear Him speak to us; (2) Do we believe that God makes Himself present to us today; and, (3) How how much Trust am I willing to put into growing my faith?

In Kings, our first reading, we hear that God speaks to us in the silence of everyday life, in a whispering voice. He does not shock us into believing in Him, He does not burn His Will into our actions but rather, in the quiet moments of our life, the Lord motivates us to choose Him. Therefore, listen to His voice in our prayer or meditation, in the works of gratitude of others—in our thankfulness—and in our blessings that may take time to notice—those “aha” moments of life.

In St Paul’s Letter to the Romans, our second reading, we hear Paul’s sorrow for those who do not accept Jesus as the Divine Manifestation of God—that like the Israelites, we too who believe in the Christ of God shall also be privileged people; that the Lord’s Glory shall take up residence in those who follow Him. Using Paul’s references we can now look for God’s presence in our lives—do we find God in the spouse with whom we entered into marriage; do we find Him in the Mystical Body of Christ—the Church—as she feeds the hungry, cares for the sick or teaches the ignorant. Do we find Christ as we look in the mirror of our lives? If not, why not—and what do we need to change?

In the Gospel of Matthew we hear an account of the Disciples just after Jesus feeds the 5,000 with a few fish and a couple of loaves of bread. The Lord then retreats in prayer with His Father—in silence they speak. The gospel story today is about a lack of faith. Peter asks Jesus, “Lord, if it is you...” signals a lack of belief and a weakness in faith. In fact, so weak is his faith that as he walks upon the waves—and the winds catch his attention, he loses his focus and not fear-filled, he sinks. Then again in compassion and love, Jesus stretches out His hand and saves him again. In times of trouble and tribulations in our own lives how resolute is our faith? Do we lose sight of the Lord when some trouble buffets us, when our faith hits an obstacle?

Holding on to Peter as he sinks into the water’s depths, Jesus says, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” Like Peter, we too should answer that question when we turn our attention away from Christ and towards the obstacles of faith—our troubled relationships, the unfinished projects which God calls us to, and illnesses of human life. Do we not believe that Jesus is with us as we journey this life? Do we not trust? Do we not put in the effort to truly see how and why He created us—for the sake of His Divine Love?