9 August, Sunday — Home

19^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

1 Kgs 19:9,11-13
Rm 9:1-5
Mt 14:22-33

…there came the sound of a gentle breeze.

I’m proud to be a Singaporean, and every National Day, you might hear me belting out the chorus of my favourite National Day song:

“This is home, truly,
Where I know I must be;
Where my dreams wait for me,
Where the river always flows.

This is home, surely, as my senses tell me;
This is where I won’t be alone,
For this is where I know it’s home.”

(“Home” in 1998 Singapore National Day Parade theme song, composed by Dick Lee and originally performed by Kit Chan. Link to Singapore Symphony Orchestra 2018 rendition: HOME by Dick Lee – Singapore Symphony Orchestra & Choruses)

Every National Day, these familiar lyrics stir something deep between us. They remind us that ‘home’ is more than a place on a map.  Home is where we belong, where our lives take root, and where we journey together as one people.

As Singapore celebrates her 61st birthday, we give thanks for the many blessings we may often take for granted: peace, safety, good healthcare, an efficient public transport system, and opportunities to pursue education and meaningful work.

Yet, beneath these blessings lies another reality.

Many Singaporeans worry about the rising cost of living. Young adults wonder whether they will ever afford a home or build a family. Workers fear being replaced by technology and AI (artificial intelligence), or being left behind in an increasingly competitive economy. Caregivers quietly shoulder the burden of looking after ageing parents and their young children. Many struggle with loneliness, stress, and poor mental health, despite living in one of the world’s most developed cities.

Perhaps the question quietly echoing in many hearts is not unlike Saint Peter’s cry in today’s Gospel: “Lord! Save me!”

But long before Peter cried out on the stormy sea, another servant of God knew what it was like to be exhausted, discouraged, and afraid. In the first reading, Elijah expected God to reveal Himself through dramatic displays of power — a mighty wind, an earthquake, and fire. Instead, God came in “the sound of the gentle breeze”.

In the second reading, St Paul speaks with profound love for his own people. Their joys and sorrows become his own. As we celebrate Singapore’s National Day, perhaps patriotism is more than feeling proud of our nation’s past and present achievements. As we look around, might there be anyone feeling forgotten? Are we truly loving our country by caring for the people who call it home? Perhaps we should reach out to the elderly living alone, families struggling with rising costs, marginalised groups seeking dignity, inclusion and purposeful work.

Finally, in today’s Gospel, Peter does something extraordinary: he steps out of the boat.

The storm does not disappear.

The waves remain billowing.

The wind continues to blow.

When Peter focuses on the storm, he sinks.

But the moment Peter cried out, Jesus immediately stretched out His hand and caught him.

Perhaps this is the image Singapore needs today. Our nation cannot avoid every storm. Economic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions, climate change, demographic challenges, and rapid technological change will continue to test us. We cannot always control the waves around us.

But we can choose where we fix our eyes and direct our ears.

As Catholics living in Singapore, may our hope always be founded on Christ, who continues to stretch out His hand at every moment in our lives. May we help to nurture a more caring and compassionate Singapore that God calls us to build.

Happy National Day to all our readers living in Singapore!

(Today’s OXYGEN by Brenda Khoo)

Prayer: Lord Jesus, may we continue to listen for Your gentle voice amidst the noise of our world. May we keep our eyes fixed on You through every storm and together, continue to build a nation that reflects Your Kingdom. Amen.

Thanksgiving: Lord Jesus, we thank You for the gift of Singapore and for all who have worked to build this nation. Bless our leaders with wisdom to create policies that benefit everyone, our families with unity to tide us through joys and tears, our young with hope to remain strong during trials, and our elderly with dignity in their golden years. Amen.