Tuesday, June 30, 2026

Tuesday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time

(Amos 3:1-8.4:11-12; Matthew 8:23-27)

At this point in the Gospel of Matthew the disciples have heard Jesus preach with authority and heal the sick.  But they haven’t as yet considered his divinity.  In today’s reading they are made to wonder about him in this way.

It is said that the passage reflects the condition of the early Church.  Troubles arise in the newly formed communities like violent storms.  The Church, still small, struggles as a tiny ship on a violent sea.  Jesus, ascended to heaven, seems incommunicable as if he were asleep.  The men and women who have accepted the faith petition the Lord like the disciples in the sinking boat, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!”  Jesus’ demonstration of saving power makes them ask with the disciples, “What sort of man is this, whom even the winds and the sea obey?”

Instead of worrying over troubles, we should call on Jesus early and often.  Perhaps at such moments we begin to think that he is not there.  But he is always ready to help us.  There is another occasion when we begin to lose faith in Jesus.  When we are being tempted, we may think, “Who cares if what I do is wrong? God? He doesn’t exist.” We are kidding ourselves.  God knows what we are doing.  Because He loves us, He does not want us to leave the way to eternal life with him.


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