Jesus Calms The Storm

JUNE 28, 2022, TUESDAY
Memorial of Saint Irenaeus, Bishop and Martyr (Red)
CYCLE C - YEAR II
Lectionary: 378

Reading I
Am 3:1-8; 4:11-12

Hear this word, O children of Israel, that the LORD pronounces over you,
over the whole family that I brought up from the land of Egypt:

            You alone have I favored,
                        more than all the families of the earth;
            Therefore I will punish you
                        for all your crimes.

            Do two walk together
                        unless they have agreed?
            Does a lion roar in the forest
                        when it has no prey?
            Does a young lion cry out from its den
                        unless it has seized something?
            Is a bird brought to earth by a snare
                        when there is no lure for it?
            Does a snare spring up from the ground
                        without catching anything?
            If the trumpet sounds in a city,
                        will the people not be frightened?
            If evil befalls a city,
                        has not the LORD caused it?
            Indeed, the Lord GOD does nothing
                        without revealing his plan
                        to his servants, the prophets.

            The lion roars—
                        who will not be afraid!
            The Lord GOD speaks—
                        who will not prophesy!

            I brought upon you such upheaval
                        as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah:
                        you were like a brand plucked from the fire;
            Yet you returned not to me,
                        says the LORD.

            So now I will deal with you in my own way, O Israel!
                        and since I will deal thus with you,
                        prepare to meet your God, O Israel.

Responsorial Psalm
5:4b-6a, 6b-7, 8

R.        (9a)  Lead me in your justice, Lord.

At dawn I bring my plea expectantly before you.
For you, O God, delight not in wickedness;
            no evil man remains with you;
            the arrogant may not stand in your sight.

R.        Lead me in your justice, Lord.

You hate all evildoers;
            you destroy all who speak falsehood;
The bloodthirsty and the deceitful
            the LORD abhors.

R.        Lead me in your justice, Lord.

But I, because of your abundant mercy,
            will enter your house;
I will worship at your holy temple
            in fear of you, O LORD.

R.        Lead me in your justice, Lord.
 

Alleluia
Psalm 130:5

R.        Alleluia, alleluia.

I trust in the LORD;
my soul trusts in his word.

R.        Alleluia, alleluia.
 

Gospel
Mt 8:23-27

As Jesus got into a boat, his disciples followed him.
Suddenly a violent storm came up on the sea,
so that the boat was being swamped by waves;
but he was asleep.
They came and woke him, saying,
“Lord, save us!  We are perishing!”
He said to them, “Why are you terrified, O you of little faith?”
Then he got up, rebuked the winds and the sea,
and there was great calm.
The men were amazed and said, “What sort of man is this,
whom even the winds and the sea obey?


GOSPEL REFLECTION:

This scene is often pictured and is a favourite for times of stress and of darkness - in the storms of life. We may feel Jesus is asleep, not near us. He woke at the moment he was really needed, and calmed the waters. In prayer he calms us too, maybe not immediately but when we really need him he is there, a hand outstretched to save us from anxiety, darkness and despair. The Lord of wind and sea, the one in whom all was created is the one who creates calm and confidence in everything of life.

PRAYER:

Lord save us, we are perishing!' We are feeling swamped by the waves, while God apparently sleeps, not really interested or aware of our lot. I let my look rest on the desperate situations in my present life, or that of the world, and let this cry well up from the depths of my heart.


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