Readings: Amos 3:1-8.4:11-12; Ps. 5; Matt 8:23-27
Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia
NAVIGATING THROUGH THE STORMS OF LIFE.
Why are we so frightened by the storms of this passing world? Why is our faith shaking because of the way things are going in our lives? Are you going through a situation where the need to look for a Saviour is highly expected. Such was the case with the disciples of Jesus in our Gospel passage today. It is a story about the disciples’ panic and fear of perishing as a result of the heavy storm that is effecting their boat.
With this heavy storm breaking their boat, the disciples cannot believe that Jesus was asleep while they were afraid and needed help from anywhere. So they went to him and woke him saying, ‘Save us, Lord, we are perishing!’ And he said to them, ‘Why are you so frightened, you men of little faith?’ And with that he stood up and rebuked the winds and the sea; and all was calm again. The men were astounded and said, ‘What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the sea obey him.’
This story signifies God’s chosen people on a transit of faith, frightened by the guilt of sin and wounded by the waves of the sea, the abode of evil forces and monsters of this world. The boat can be taken as a symbol of the faith of the Church and the people of God struggling with the world’s principalities and powers, while the storm is a symbol of heavy persecutions and suffering by the people of God. And Jesus is saying: why are you so frightened, you men of little faith.
Today Jesus is calling us to journey on this boat of life with an unwavering faith and a repented heart, because the world is being tossed around by the waves of evil forces, the enemies of humanity. And it is only God who can subdue it, for he has promised to restore us back to himself. This is what the people of Israel failed to understand in our first reading today. Hence, we heard the Lord saying through prophet Amos: “you alone, of all the families of earth, have I acknowledged, therefore it is for all your sins that I mean to punish you”.
Dear friends, why are we so frightened by the storms of this passing world? Why is our faith shaking because of our present situation? Though, I don’t know the great storms of doubt and fear in your soul? I don’t know if you are under the power of the evil forces of this world. I don’t know if you are heading to destruction? All I know is that with great faith in God we can navigate through the heavy storms of life, for Jesus and his angels will surely rebuke the violent storms in our hearts so that we can experience once again the calmness of safety, peace and joy.
LET US PRAY: Lord God. As we struggle everyday to overcome the ugly situation around us, grant that the violent storms and waves of bondage in our lives will end in a wonderful calm that brings peace in our souls, through Christ our Lord. Amen. Wishing you a fruitful and joyful day
