The Gospel according to Matthew (8:23-27)
As Jesus got into a boat, his disciples followed him.
Suddenly a violent storm came up on the sea,
so that the boat was being swamped by waves;
but he was asleep.
They came and woke him, saying,
“Lord, save us! We are perishing!”
He said to them, “Why are you terrified, O you of little faith?”
Then he got up, rebuked the winds and the sea,
and there was great calm.
The men were amazed and said, “What sort of man is this,
whom even the winds and the sea obey?”
Reflection:
So, as it goes, today’s Gospel is the last part of a very busy day for Jesus. He healed the centurion’s slave (at a distance), healed Simon’s mother-in-law, and delivered many from demons. Understandably, He was ready for a nice quiet ride across the Sea of Galilee. But, as we see so often in the Gospels, Jesus doesn’t typically get a break. Today’s story is no different. I feel that way sometimes and I’m sure you do as well.
One thing about the Gospel of Mark, which I may have mentioned here on the DEACON5 once or twice over the years, is that Mark shows Jesus’ disciples (and the Apostles in particular) as just not “getting it” that He (Jesus) was not just a rabbi or teacher, but that He was the eternal Son of God!
Now, it is true that just about all of Jesus’ Apostles were uneducated, but I think the reason that Mark portrays them in this way is to give you and me hope for when we don’t understand what God is doing, or what His plan is. If you’re like me, those times may be a majority of the time!
We are called to trust and have faith. It’s a hard thing to do, but that is the work of us who believe. This past weekend, someone who went through the RCIA process a couple of years ago reached out, asking for prayer for a friend whose father died in a traffic accident recently. She was also asking what kind of special prayers one might offer in this situation. I think she was quite understandably trying to understand God’s purpose in such a tragedy.
Sadly, our human understanding will never be able to discern that. God alone has the whole picture. If you can, please offer a prayer for the family of that father, that they may find peace and consolation, even through the pain of the sudden loss. I think those prayers will really help and they’ll also show our companionship on the journey together as sons and daughters of our loving Lord.
Action for the Day:
As I mentioned, please offer a prayer for that family I spoke of. I don’t have their names, but you can just offer them to the Lord, that the father may be in God’s presence now, and that the family left behind know that God is with them and wants them to know that they are not going through this tragic time alone. On a personal note, it’s also my mom’s birthday today. If you would be so kind as to offer a prayer for her as she celebrates her birthday in heaven today, I would love that. Thank you!
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