13th Week in Ordinary Time : Tuesday 4th July 2023

No matter how many times we read about the calming of the storm, one thing that must strike us each time is this: how unusually terrifying the storm must have been for these seasoned fishermen to be frightened to the point of panic. They were so frightened that they turned to a carpenter for help. Except, of course, Jesus was more than that. Indeed, he was their Lord and Saviour in every sense.

It is known that when a person is in great danger, the instinct is to call out to the mother for help, sometimes even going into adopting a foetal position. This primal response reflects our deep human connection to the source of our being, at least when our very existence is threatened.

For the disciples, Jesus was their reference point. They turned to Him for everything, especially in critical situations. They may have been “men of little faith”, but at least they knew who to turn to in times of danger. Just as God looked out for Abraham and Lot, sending His angels to rescue them and their families before the total destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, so does the Lord look out for us.

Like the disciples, let the Lord be our point of reference. Let us not only go to Him in crisis but in everything! We may not be like Lot’s wife, who disobeyed divine instructions, but let us be humble to acknowledge our lowliness and, in Him alone, find shelter and protection from the storms of life.

My soul is waiting for the Lord.