Tuesday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Father Steven Liscinsky, LC
Matthew 8: 23-27
As Jesus got into a boat, his disciples followed him. Suddenly a violent storm came up on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by waves; but he was asleep. They came and woke him, saying, "Lord, save us! We are perishing!" He said to them, "Why are you terrified, O you of little faith?" Then he got up, rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was great calm. The men were amazed and said, "What sort of man is this, whom even the winds and the sea obey?"
Introductory Prayer: Lord, I believe that you are present within me. Let me feel your presence in my heart and soul. I want to live this day close to you and see everything through the prism of faith. I want to put my trust and confidence in you. You will grant me all the graces I need today. All I have to do is ask. I want to love you with all my heart, especially in charity, giving myself to all I meet today so that I can communicate your love to them. Mary, accompany me in this meditation and intercede for me, so that God will grant me what I need to be a better follower of Christ and an apostle of his Kingdom.
Petition: Lord, increase my faith.
1. Surrounded by a Tempest
How often we feel ourselves surrounded by a tempest! As we look at the world around us, we see violence, injustice, poverty, and sinfulness of all sorts. We are overwhelmed by the power and strength of evil and feel impotent. How can all this change? Will I be enveloped by this sinfulness? Even my own nature has been marred by original sin and has left me with evil inclinations. In the face of all this, it is easy to lose hope and cry out to the Lord in despair.
2. We Cry Out to the Lord
In the midst of this storm we must turn to Christ. He is in our boat, dwelling in our souls through sanctifying grace. With his help, we have nothing to fear. We need to ask him to reassure us. But as we cry out to him, let us not lose faith. He wants us to have confidence in the triumph of good over evil. On the cross, it seemed that evil and death had conquered and won the day. It seemed that his enemies had finally vanquished him, as they mocked him and told him to come down from the cross. Yet it was the moment of his triumph. When evil seems to be winning, let us look at the crucifix and be sure of the victory.
3. Who Is This Man Who Saves Us?
Many present themselves as saviors of the world. They promise us happiness and the solutions to all our problems. In the end they turn out to be swindlers seeking money or fame at the expense of the credulous. Christ is the only authentic savior who is interested in us. He is the true shepherd who genuinely loves us and cares about us. And he is the only one with real power to help us. Let us turn to him in prayer to solve our problems. Let us visit him in the Eucharist, where he is always waiting for us to come with our needs.
Conversation with Christ: Lord, you are my only Savior. You are the only one I can count on to rescue me in the midst of the tempest that besets me on all sides. You alone can solve my problems; all I have to do is turn to you. You are ready to listen to me and understand me as no one else can. Today I want to be close to you. I am counting on you.
