REFLECTIONS TODAY
We have had countless storms in this country we even break records of typhoon magnitudes. But there are also storms in life that are as threatening: breakdown of families, loss of jobs, rising suicide rates in some countries, the Covid-19 pandemic. In all of these, ultimately we turn to God, to Jesus, for safety and protection. No matter how much we try to come up with solutions, they often fall short and we continue to grapple for answers. How we wish our Lord were here as he was with the disciples on that stormy night when he simply rebuked the wind and a great calm ensued, including the hearts of the fearful disciples. We can learn to be resilient as we are being trained to be nowadays in the midst of constant threats from nature, accidents, and disasters. Working together is an effective way to build resilience, as many groups have shown. But, of course, the best way to build that resilience is to build up our faith and confidence in God: that he continues to be with us and will never abandon us in our struggles and difficulties.
Gospel • Mark 4:35-41
On that day, as evening drew on, Jesus said to his disciples: “Let us cross to the other side.” Leaving the crowd, they took Jesus with them in the boat just as he was. And other boats were with him. A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already filling up. Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. They woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” He woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Quiet! Be still!” The wind ceased and there was great calm. Then he asked them, “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?” They were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?”
Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2023,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.