Calming the Storm

Comments on the texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary for today.

Canada Calm

The Reading from Genesis 19.15-29 describes the Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.

* [19:20] A small place: the Hebrew word misar, lit., “a little thing,” has the same root consonants as the name of the town Zoar in v. 22.

* [19:25] Overthrew: this term, lit., “turned upside down,” is used consistently to describe the destruction of the cities of the Plain. The imagery of earthquake and subsequent fire fits the geology of this region.

* [19:28–29] In a deft narrative detail, Abraham looks down from the height east of Hebron, from which he could easily see the region at the southern end of the Dead Sea, where the cities of the Plain were probably located. (Genesis, CHAPTER 19 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 26 praises God for personal benefits

* [Psalm 26] Like a priest washing before approaching the altar (Ex 30:17–21), the psalmist seeks God’s protection upon entering the Temple. Ps 26:1–3, matched by Ps 26:11–12, remind God of past integrity while asking for purification; Ps 26:4–5, matched by Ps 26:9–10, pray for inclusion among the just; Ps 26:6–8, the center of the poem, express the joy in God at the heart of all ritual. (Psalms, PSALM 26 | USCCB, n.d.)

Gospel: Matthew 8:23-27 describes The Calming of the Storm at Sea.

* [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.)

Jane Stein shares the Daily Reflection July 1, 2025

https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=jul1  

Don Schwager Teacher, I Will Follow You Wherever You Go

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the texts for June 30, 2025

Richard Rohr shares a Daily Meditation on Freedom Results from Action.

References

Genesis, CHAPTER 19 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 1, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/genesis/19?15 

Matthew, CHAPTER 8 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 1, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/8?23 

Psalms, PSALM 26 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 1, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/26?2