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TUESDAY OF THE THIRTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME



1st Reading      Amos 3:1-8; 4:11-12
Psalm           Psalm 5:5-6.7.8 (R. 9a) 
Gospel                  Matthew 8: 23-27


We continue our reflection even as the month of June ends today and we enter the second half of the year. These are times when people are most faced with difficulties. Today, we focus on one of Jesus' miraculous acts in Matthew. This narrative is so famous that we find it very appropriate in our attempt to console those perturbed by storms, storms in the sense of difficulties. The year of faith finds this text at heart. 

The setting of this event is on the Sea of Galilee. For us to appreciate and help us get a clearer view of the narrative, we have to know what happens on the sea. The sea of Galilee naturally _goes wild_  unexpectedly. Waves are experienced at any time and sea farers and fishermen are well aware of this. In fact, some of Jesus' disciples are fishermen and they would either have ever fished here or have heard of the turbulence of the waves of the sea.

We now know that these people may have been prepared for a journey of this kind. What remains surprising is that faith is still weak. Having followed Christ for sometime now they still do not think that with Christ in their boat storms cannot prevail over them.

The text as Matthew narrates serves to speak of our very lives. This brings to mind the many times we often do not regard that Christ is with us. For his presence, fear should be out of place. Faith should be heightened. The text assures us that Christ is always with us through the turbulent moments of life.

The disciples would have been wondering why Jesus was sleeping even when things were not normal, when the journey was no more a peaceful one, when sleeping was not required. Was it that he was adamant to what was happening? No! He is aware. We should then not think that Christ is adamant to our situations. With the pandemic as a storm we still trust that Christ is with us and he is ever strong to save. With our individual issues, (health, marriage, finance, vocations, inter alia) Matthew assures us that Christ is still with us. 
Dare to have faith, Dare to hope again. 

The Lord of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold. 

Save us, Lord; we are perishing. 

Pax et Bonum

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