Tuesday of the
Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time
(Genesis 19:15-29; Matthew 8:23-27)
General George Marshall, the Army Chief of Staff during
World War II and later Secretary of State, was renowned for his
self-control. It is said that after
making critical decisions involving thousands of lives, Marshall could take a
nap. In today’s gospel Jesus proves
himself to be a person of even greater composure.
Jesus’ disciples are amazed that the sun and moon seem to
snap at his command. It is almost as
remarkable that he could sleep in a small boat being rocked by a storm. The story is meant to teach more than Jesus’ authority
over nature or his serenity. It is also
a lesson in Jesus’ presence to the Church after the resurrection. The ship in the storm symbolizes the Church
in its infancy. It is being challenged
in every direction – persecutions, heresies, contentious questions like
accommodation of non-Jews. The portrayal
of Jesus sleeping represents the temptation of thinking that he is indifferent
about these challenges. But all the
disciples have to do to secure his help is beseech him in prayer.
We too at times may feel overwhelmed by the circumstances
in which we find ourselves. Perhaps we
have promised to do more than now seems possible to accomplish. Or maybe our children bring home problems
that we thought happen in only the most troubled of families. We too can find recourse in the Lord
Jesus. As he calmed the storm for his
disciples, he will assist us in our need.
