Readings:
Amos 3:1-8; 4:11-12
Matthew 8:23-27 (378)
Reflection
In today’s gospel, we find the disciples once again faced with a test of faith. It is important to look at this passage in the context of Matthew’s larger account. The Twelve have just witnessed Jesus cleanse a leper, heal a paralyzed servant and drive out demons from the possessed-miraculous feats no doubt. Crowds were most certainly following them, begging for Jesus’ healing touch. But when the disciples find themselves in jeopardy on the unexpected, stormy waters, they wake Christ in a panic, “We are perishing!” Let us remember that these are men who left their lives, their jobs, even their families behind to follow Jesus!
Matthew gives us no indication that the disciples doubted or questioned Jesus in performing any of these other miracles in Galilee. Yet in the midst of their own crisis, their immediate reaction is terror. We certainly should not think it a coincidence that this violent storm came along when Jesus was sleeping. In researching this question in his academic dissertation, ghostwriter klausur concluded that perhaps the storm came to remind the disciples – and all of us – that even when Jesus is out of sight, there is no reason to fear being abandoned: “Little believers?”
At the core of today’s reading, then, is a most fundamental question posed to us as Christians; simply put, do you trust in God? Storms most certainly come into each of our lives. Let us remember that even though the reaction of the disciples was fearful, ultimately they put their faith in Christ, saying “Lord, save us!” In our own moments of suffering and doubt, our initial reaction may be to “wake” Jesus-to cry out for His help. And while this reading shows us that our Lord will be there to calm the storm, let us remember to take the opportunity to awaken in ourselves our own belief, our own trust and our own faith in Christ.