The WORD in Other Words by Fr Noel Rebangcos SVD (Philippines)
Tuesday 13th Week in Ordinary Time
Gn 19:15-29, Mt 8:23-27
When we find ourselves badly shaken by strong storms, our natural instinct is to look for safety. The disciples, as narrated in the gospel, experienced a bad storm at sea. Fear took hold of them. The big waves and strong winds were too much for them to withstand. Perhaps they might have heard a loud voice crying, “The boat is sinking!” Their only safety was Jesus. They had to wake him who was soundly asleep due to fatigue after days of teaching, preaching, healing and doing miracles. Jesus “rebuked the wind and the waves” and “there was a great calm.” Then he asked them, “Where is your faith?”
What “storms” in life seem too much for us to handle? Can we identify the personal storms and deepest troubles that rock our “boat” at present? Remember that if Jesus can conquer the storm at sea, how much more can he conquer our own life‘s storm? Jesus is asking us now, “Why are you terrified?” Jesus is the only One who can save us. We come to Him through prayer. Prayer connects us to God. When life‘s storms beset us, when we feel weak and helpless, praying to God is the only way to bring about calm and tranquility in our lives.
We get distracted by our trials and hardships, focusing on the evidence of disaster instead of the reasons for hope. We become strong because God is our source of hope and strength. When storms come our way and our “boat” is sinking, this line becomes handy: “The storms of life may be raging all around you but God is always there to bring you through.”
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