The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today warn us of the storms that may arise in our lives when we choose self aggrandizement over care for people in our environment in need of support, calm assurance, and love.
The reading from the Prophet Amos is a First Summons in response to Israel’s Guilt and Punishment.
* [3:2] You alone I have known: precisely because Israel enjoyed a special status among the nations of the world in the eyes of the Lord (but see 9:7) it was called to a high degree of fidelity to God. Because Israel has failed in this expectation, it must experience God’s punishment.
* [3:3–8] The metaphors in these sayings illustrate the principle of cause and effect, and lead up to the conclusion in v. 8. (Amos, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB, n.d.)
* [4:12] Therefore thus I will do to you: this climax of vv. 6–12, announcing the sentence the Lord intends to pass on Israel, is open-ended. (Amos, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 5 praises Trust in God for Deliverance from Enemies.
* [Psalm 5] A lament contrasting the security of the house of God (Ps 5:8–9, 12–13) with the danger of the company of evildoers (Ps 5:5–7, 10–11). The psalmist therefore prays that God will hear (Ps 5:2–4) and grant the protection and joy of the Temple. (Psalms, PSALM 5 | USCCB, n.d.)
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus Stills the Storm.
* [8:23] His disciples followed him: the first miracle in the second group (Mt 8:23–9:8) is introduced by a verse that links it with the preceding sayings by the catchword “follow.” In Mark the initiative in entering the boat is taken by the disciples (Mk 4:35–41); here, Jesus enters first and the disciples follow.
* [8:24] Storm: literally, “earthquake,” a word commonly used in apocalyptic literature for the shaking of the old world when God brings in his kingdom. All the synoptics use it in depicting the events preceding the parousia of the Son of Man (Mt 24:7; Mk 13:8; Lk 21:11). Matthew has introduced it here and in his account of the death and resurrection of Jesus (Mt 27:51–54; 28:2).
* [8:25] The reverent plea of the disciples contrasts sharply with their reproach of Jesus in Mk 4:38.
* [8:26] You of little faith: see note on Mt 6:30. Great calm: Jesus’ calming the sea may be meant to recall the Old Testament theme of God’s control over the chaotic waters (Ps 65:8; 89:10; 93:3–4; 107:29). (Matthew, CHAPTER 8 | USCCB, n.d.)
Barbara Dilly comments that just as Jesus rebuked the chaos of the winds and sea and brought about calm to the disciples, we are to subdue evil forces as we speak peace and justice over the waves in our own lives and the lives of others.
That is not easy to do. But over the years, I have learned that if I subdue my own fears of evil forces and let the peace of Christ speak confidently in and through me, I can not only better navigate uncertainty, but I can also often even help others seeking God’s peace and justice. My prayer today is that we can all overcome the terror that so often surrounds us with a faith that grows stronger the more we face, not hide from, the storms of life. (Dilly, 2024)
Don Schwager quotes “Training in courage and endurance,” by John Chrysostom, 347-407 A.D.
"He took the disciples with him, not for nothing and not merely to face an absurd hazard but in order to permit them to witness the miracle that was to take place on the sea. For like a superb trainer, he was gradually coaching and fitting them for endurance. He had two objectives in mind. He wanted to teach them to remain undismayed amid dangers and modest in honors. So, to prevent them from thinking too much of themselves, having sent away the multitude, he kept them near him but permitted them to be tossed with a tempest. By doing so he disciplined them to bear trials patiently. His former miracles were indeed great, but this one contained a unique kind of discipline of exceptional importance. For it was a sign akin to that of old [referring to Moses parting the Red Sea]. To do this, he took his disciples with him by himself. He permitted others to see his other miracles, but when trials and terrors were rising, he took with him none but those he was training to be champions of the gospel. (excerpt from THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 28.1.2) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 8:23-27 comments that it’s fair to say that Jesus has set a high bar, even for us. But that doesn’t mean he will condemn us for not meeting that bar. It just means that he knows how much power his gift of faith has. He knows that the more we exercise our faith, the more we will see that faith bear fruit—in our life and in the lives of the people around us.
Is there a storm of some kind raging around you or within you right now? If so, try putting your faith to work. Imitate Jesus and try to rest in God’s presence, maybe for just a few minutes. Surrender the storm to him, and let him give you his peace.
“Lord, you know I believe. Help my unbelief!” (Meditation on Matthew 8:23-27, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments that in the wisdom sayings of Amos to the people of Israel, God will surely take action in their judgement. The violent storm experienced by the disciples on the Sea of Galilee is common due to the geography of the area. Friar Jude reminds us of two levels in the Gospel, a nature miracle and an exorcism of the evil associated with the Sea.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Spiritual director Ruth Haley Barton who describes a “rule of life” as key to experiencing the reign of God.
Christian tradition has a name for the structure that enables us to say yes to the process of spiritual transformation day in and day out. It is called a rule of life. A rule of life seeks to respond to two questions: Who do I want to be? How do I want to live? … [or] the interplay between these two questions: How do I want to live so I can be who I want to be? [1] (Rohr, n.d.)
Pastor Ken Shigematsu advises that a rule of life is not a “one-size-fits-all” solution.
Having a set of deliberate practices also allows us to build on our strengths and shore up areas of weakness. If we are experiencing a failure of self-control, we might deliberately practice fasting…. If we find ourselves overcommitted and distracted, engaging in a daily rhythm of ten or twenty minutes of silent prayer that centers us or meditating on a brief single passage in Scripture (lectio) may be a helpful practice.
On the other hand, if we have a naturally contemplative bent and find ourselves spending a disproportionately large amount of time in private prayer and solitude, adding another way of praying may not be helpful. In fact, we might consider decreasing the amount of time we spend in formal prayer and perhaps enter into practices of justice or service so we can grow as a contemplative in action….
Ultimately, a rule can enable us to live our lives, as Thomas Kelly writes, “from a Center, a divine Center … a life of amazing power and peace and serenity, of integration and confidence and simplified multiplicity.” [2] (Rohr, n.d.)
We encounter storms on our journey and we ask the Spirit to guide us to seek passage through the difficult times with the support of Jesus in our boat.
References
Amos, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 2, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/amos/3?1
Amos, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 2, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/amos/4?12=#38004012
Dilly, B. (2024, July 2). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved July 2, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/070224.html
Matthew, CHAPTER 8 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 2, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/8?23
Meditation on Matthew 8:23-27. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved July 2, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/07/02/1014557/
Psalms, PSALM 5 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 2, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/5?4
Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. A Centered Life. Retrieved July 2, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/a-centered-life/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Why Are You Afraid, O Men of Little Faith? Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved July 2, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=jul2
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