Thirteenth Week of Ordinary Time
02nd July 2024 (Tuesday)
Psalter: Week 1
Reading of the Day
First Reading: Amos 3:1-8; 4:11-12
Hear this word that the Lord has spoken against you, O people of Israel, against the whole family that I brought up out of the land of Egypt: “You only have I known of all the families of the earth; therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities. “Do two walk together, unless they have agreed to meet? Does a lion roar in the forest, when he has no prey? Does a young lion cry out from his den, if he has taken nothing? Does a bird fall in a snare on the earth, when there is no trap for it? Does a snare spring up from the ground, when it has taken nothing? Is a trumpet blown in a city, and the people are not afraid? Does disaster come to a city, unless the Lord has done it? “For the Lord God does nothing without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets. The lion has roared; who will not fear? The Lord God has spoken; who can but prophesy? I overthrew some of you, as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, and you were as a brand plucked out of the burning; yet you did not return to me,” declares the Lord. “Therefore thus I will do to you, O Israel; because I will do this to you, prepare to meet your God, O Israel!”
Psalm 5:5-6, 7, 8 (R. 9a)
R/. Lead me, Lord, in your justice.
Gospel Acclamation
V/. Alleluia
R/. Alleluia
V/. I long for the Lord, in his word I hope.
R/. Alleluia.
Gospel : Matthew 8:23-27
At that time: When Jesus got into the boat, his disciples followed him. And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?”
Daily Gospel Reflection
Tuesday – Thirteenth Week of Ordinary Time
Guidelines: It is not God who is indifferent or unbothered toward us. It is we who are indifferent and unbothered toward Him
1. The disciples in the boat are hit by a great storm. They are deadly frightened. They run to Jesus who was found sleeping in the boat. They awaken him and he calms the storm. He also rebukes them for their little faith.
2. This scene repeats every day in anyone and everyone’s case. The boat of our life is like sailing in the sea. And no seldom strong winds and storms attack us and frighten us. Do we easily lose sight of him present in our lifeboat? Do we so soon get frightened by their force? Do we also feel that the Lord is sleeping while we are about to perish?
3. It is their lack of strong faith that frightens them even when the Lord is with them in the same boat? Even if he is sleeping, do they not remember that he is present and with them? Will he allow them to perish? When the Lord of the sea himself is with them, what harm can betide them?
4. Often it is the lack of faith and faithfulness that makes one indifferent, indulgent, and unrepentant. This is what happens in the case of the Israelites again and again. God reminds them and cautions them constantly through His holy prophets. But they do not leave their waywardness. They do not return to the Lord.
5. So, certain chastisement and corrective measures were needed to bring them back to their senses. Where there is deep faith, there is no overpowering of sin and fear. Lack of faith leads us to sin and fear. Consequently, we feel that God is sleeping. Actually, it is we who are sleeping. We are not awake and aware of God’s presence, His protection, and guidance.
Practice: A certain fear may be understandable in the face of difficulties. But we should not be over-frightened and worried. As long as the Lord is sailing in the same life-boat, no storms can make us perish
