Storms and Safety

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. 

Calming the Storms

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 

Judgement and Commitment

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to seek that our eyes be opened to see the situation of others and respond with loving action.

Committed to Justice

The reading from the Prophet Amos is a Judgement on Israel.

* [2:4–8, 12] Unlike the crimes of the nations detailed in this section, which are wrongs against other nations, those of Judah and Israel named here are violations of the Lord’s demands.

* [2:4] The lies: false gods worshiped by the Judahites.

* [2:6] Israel: Amos’s audience would applaud his condemnation of foreign kingdoms in the foregoing seven oracles, especially of Judah. But now he adds an eighth, unexpected oracle—against Israel itself. This is the real “punch line” of this whole section, to which the preceding oracles serve mainly as introduction.

* [2:7] Son and father sleep with the same girl: the crime condemned here may be the misuse of power by the rich who take unfair advantage of young women from the ranks of the poor and force themselves on them, thus adding oppression to the sin of impurity.

* [2:8] Upon garments…any altar: creditors kept the garments taken as pledges from the poor instead of returning them to their owners before nightfall as the law commanded (Ex 22:25; cf. Dt 24:12). Wine…in their temples: lavish feasts for the rich, serving the finest wines in great abundance (see 6:4–7) and funded by the treasuries of local temples (e.g., at Dan and Bethel). The Hebrew in this verse is difficult. Another possible translation would be: “And the wine of those who have been fined / they drink in the house of their god.” (Amos, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 50 praises the Acceptable Sacrifice.

* [Psalm 50] A covenant lawsuit stating that the sacrifice God really wants is the sacrifice of praise accompanied by genuine obedience (cf. Mi 6:1–8). It begins with a theophany and the summoning of the court (Ps 50:1–6). Then in direct address God explains what is required of the faithful (Ps 50:7–15), rebukes the hypocritical worshiper (Ps 50:16–21), and concludes with a threat and a promise (Ps 50:22–23; cf. Is 1:19–20). (Psalms, PSALM 50 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Matthew provides advice to would-be followers of Jesus.

* [8:18–22] This passage between the first and second series of miracles about following Jesus is taken from Q (see Lk 9:57–62). The third of the three sayings found in the source is absent from Matthew.

* [8:18] The other side: i.e., of the Sea of Galilee.

* [8:19] Teacher: for Matthew, this designation of Jesus is true, for he has Jesus using it of himself (Mt 10:24, 25; 23:8; 26:18), yet when it is used of him by others they are either his opponents (Mt 9:11; 12:38; 17:24; 22:16, 24, 36) or, as here and in Mt 19:16, well-disposed persons who cannot see more deeply. Thus it reveals an inadequate recognition of who Jesus is.

* [8:20] Son of Man: see note on Mk 8:31. This is the first occurrence in Matthew of a term that appears in the New Testament only in sayings of Jesus, except for Acts 7:56 and possibly Mt 9:6 (//Mk 2:10; Lk 5:24). In Matthew it refers to Jesus in his ministry (seven times, as here), in his passion and resurrection (nine times, e.g., Mt 17:22), and in his glorious coming at the end of the age (thirteen times, e.g., Mt 24:30).

* [8:22] Let the dead bury their dead: the demand of Jesus overrides what both the Jewish and the Hellenistic world regarded as a filial obligation of the highest importance. See note on Lk 9:60. (Matthew, CHAPTER 8 | USCCB, n.d.)

Robby Francis comments that the people hearing Jesus preach and witnessing His miracles were mesmerized by what He was saying and doing, but they missed the deeper meaning of His message: to really follow Him means making very hard decisions.

We can fall into the same trap today. In many ways, we have watered down Jesus' message, turning Him into a sentimental figure. Alternatively, we might take on the role of a self-appointed prophet, condemning those we believe are not living faithful lives, neglecting Jesus' message to love others, even our enemies.

Truly following Jesus requires risk. It means being uncomfortable, perhaps by listening to the opinions of those with whom we disagree. It means standing up against injustices and aligning ourselves with the marginalized, which won’t always make us look good. It can mean leaving behind our comforts, both material and emotional, so that we can contribute to building the Kingdom of God.

What are you being invited to let go of? (Francis, 2024)

Don Schwager quotes “Following the Lord Jesus,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"'Come follow Me, says the Lord. Do you love? He has hastened on, He has flown on ahead. Look and see where. O Christian, don't you know where your Lord has gone? I ask you: Don't you wish to follow Him there? Through trials, insults,the cross, and death. Why do you hesitate? Look, the way has been shown you." (excerpt from Sermon 64,5) (Schwager, 2024)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Amos 2:6-10, 13-16 comments that it’s important for us to take on the heart of God. He loves people who are poor, weak, and vulnerable in a special way, and he wants us to have the same love and regard for them as well. But not only does he want us to care for their needs; he also wants us to defend them against those who would exploit or mistreat them. This means calling out injustice wherever we see it.

Few of us feel up to the task of fighting society’s ills, but the fact is, we don’t have to do this work alone. We can join other Christians who are fighting for change. They need our time, our energy, our financial resources, and most especially, our prayers. Working together, we can be the prophetic voice that Amos was!

“Lord, give me the courage to defend those who are weak.” (Meditation on Amos 2:6-10, 13-16, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler introduces Amos as a prophet in the north who was a dresser of sycamore trees in the south who condemns the ritual and social injustice of Israel by declaring nothing will save them and God will punish them. Jesus offers advice to the scribe who claims to follow Him wherever He goes. Friar Jude reminds us that faith takes us on a journey as we continue to understand where we are and where God wants us to be.

 

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, comments that silence is a foundation upon which we can build our lives.

We need to experience silence as a living presence which is primordial and primal in itself, and then see all other things—now experienced deeply—inside of that container. Silence is not just an absence, but also a presence. Silence surrounds every “I know” event with a humble and patient “I don’t know.” It protects the autonomy and dignity of events, persons, animals, and all things.  

We must find a way to return to this place, to live in this place, to abide in this place of inner silence. Outer silence means very little if there is not a deeper inner silence. Everything else appears much clearer when it appears or emerges out of a previous silence. When I use the word appear, I mean that silence takes on reality, substance, significance, or meaning. Without silence around a thing, which is a mystery, it can be difficult to find a meaning that lasts. It’s just another event in a sequence of ever-quicker events, which we call our lives. (Rohr, n.d.)

We implore the Spirit to invoke sacred silence around the events of our journey that bring assessment of our path and commitment to continue to find the Way.

References

Amos, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 1, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/amos/2?6 

Francis, R. (2024, July 1). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved July 1, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/070124.htm 

Matthew, CHAPTER 8 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 1, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/8? 

Meditation on Amos 2:6-10, 13-16. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved July 1, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/07/01/1013923/ 

Psalms, PSALM 50 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 1, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/50?16 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. The Gift of Silence. Retrieved July 1, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-gift-of-silence/ 

Schwager, D. (2024, June 30). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved July 1, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=jul1