Tuesday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time
(Amos 3:1-8.4:11-12; Matthew 8:23-27)
Church Fathers from the third to the seventh century read
today’s gospel as a parable. They saw
the boat representing the Church manned by disciples. When trouble afflicts the Church and there
are no immediate solutions, it seems like Jesus is sleeping. But, of course, he is aware of the
difficulties and acts to save them from shipwreck.
Matthew might have had persecution in mind when he wrote of
the storm. It also could have been new,
unorthodox doctrine that caused the disciples’ worry. These problems still plague the Church. We can also understand the storms as personal
setbacks. Perhaps we or a loved has been
diagnosed as having a life-threatening disease.
Or perhaps we have lost our job and feel helpless. Under conditions such as these, we can count
on Christ’s help when we pray to him.
The passage ends with the enigmatic questions, “What sort of
man is this, whom even the winds and sea obey?” The disciples will realize at
Jesus’ appearance after the resurrection that he is a God-man. Putting our faith in him will not leave us
disappointed.
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