Reflections on Scripture | Tuesday of the 13th Week of Ordinary Time

Join Msgr. Don Fischer as he reads and delivers a short reflection on today’s gospel, followed by 3 1/2 minutes of contemplative music and a closing prayer. Msgr. Don hopes that today’s reflection on the gospel will empower you to carry the Word in your heart throughout the day.

Choose either the video or audio below.

Gospel 
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?”

Reflection

The sea in Scripture is often used as an image of darkness, of evil. And so when these disciples are being called into a battle with evil, when they know that they're going to be confronted with things that are radically opposed to who God is calling them to, they experience fear. And what they're learning from this lesson is that Jesus, even though he's not upset the way things are, he’s resting, in a sense, asleep.

But when he's awakened, he says, why are you worried? I got your back. I'm here for you. Don't let the darkness that seems to be destroying you, don't let that happen. Trust in me because I am strong. As witnessed by the fact that he can tell the sea and the wind to cease being a threat. Please ponder this reflection and I'll close with the prayer.

Closing Prayer

Father, nothing is more essential than trust. Trusting in your power within us that will accomplish whatever it is we need to achieve. And also will protect us from anything that would destroy us. Give us that same trust that Jesus longed to give to his disciples. And we ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Kyle Cross