GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings)
DATE: 28TH JUNE 2016
TUESDAY OF THE 13TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
(MEMORIAL OF ST. IRENAEUS, BISHOP AND MARTYR)
1ST READING: Amos 3:1-8; 4:11-12
PSALM: Psalm 5:4-8
GOSPEL: Matthew 8:23-27
THEME: STORMS
She lost her husband in divorce. Next, she had a stroke and lost her health. This was followed by another unpleasant news — her only daughter who was studying at the university suddenly died. As if that was not enough, fire razed completely the house where she lived. I went over to visit her in a rented apartment, not sure what to say and how to console her. With a peaceful smile on her face, she welcomed me and said, “Join me to thank the Lord for HE is my strength.” At that instant, her calm heart chased away the anxiety in my own. I witnessed in her the truth of the saying “With Jesus in the boat you can smile through the storm.”
Our Gospel text begins with an important note – “And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him” (Mt 8:23). In spite of the fact that the disciples “followed” Jesus, we are told in the next verse that “Suddenly a violent storm came up on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by waves…” (Mt 8:24). Following Jesus does not prevent storms from coming one’s way.
Faced with a life-threatening situation, the disciples called upon Jesus, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” (Mt 8:25). When storms come our way, we need to call upon the Lord in fervent prayer.
Jesus said to his frightened disciples, “Why are you afraid, you of little faith?” (Mat 8:26). Storms are frightening but the Lord expects us to respond to them with faith and not fear.
In rebuking the storm and calming the situation (cf. Mt. 8:26), Jesus reveals to us that he is the Lord of every storm.
Storms, no matter how painful they may be, do not last forever. There is a saying that “all shall pass”. Are you faced with a storm right now? Courage, the Lord is near. Call upon him and he would give you a testimony.
Lord Jesus, you are my refuge and strength when trials come. I look up to you today to calm the storms in my life. Let your strength overshadow my weakness and give me a new song to sing, in praise of your name. Amen.
Fr. Andrews Obeng, SVD
DIVINE WORD MISSIONARIES
BIBLICAL PASTORAL MINISTRY
(Ghana Province)