Tuesday – 13th Week in Ordinary Time  6/28/22

Gospel – Matthew 8:23-27

The Storm Inside

Stormy Night, Tel Aviv

Ever been driving in the middle of a snowstorm?  Roads are iced up and you can barely see ahead of you.  Windshield keeps fogging up and you can’t even tell if you’re on the right side of the road?  Ever been home in the midst of a long and loud thunderstorm? The house is shaking and the windows are rattling to the point you think they will break.  And you keep checking the basement for water.  Terrifying times that shake you to the core.

That’s where the disciples are in today’s Gospel.  This is no leisurely ride on the Sea of Galilee.  Storms pop up out of nowhere and this one is terrifying even for the disciples, most of whom are fishermen and should be used to it.  They are scared and fearful for their life.  And Jesus?  Well, He is sleeping! 

After awakening, He rebukes them for being worried for their safety. He reminds them that He is right there with them.  And then He simply calms the sea and the storm subsides.

Perhaps the lesson is this – Jesus was right there.  The disciples forgot He was right there and they lost faith.  How often do we do the same thing?  All the trials, all the stresses and harships that life throws at us, all the times when we become hopeless and fearful for our life.  How could we forget?  Jesus is right there with us!  He is always with us!  Trust in God!  Trust in Him always being there for us!  In the midst of the storm, have a little faith! 

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