REFLECTIONS TODAY
Jesus also makes a miracle for his disciples. They too benefit from his power when they are in danger as they travel by boat from Capernaum to the territory of the Gadarenes. The storm that they experience is life-threatening. The disciples cannot help but cry out for help.
In this episode, Jesus shows again his power as the Messiah. Not only can he heal or exorcise, but he also can overpower the overwhelming forces of nature with a simple rebuke.
Who cannot be amazed? Who will not be convinced that God is with Jesus? Jesus, as Savior, does not disappoint people who cry out to him with all their hearts, minds, and strength when they find themselves in life or-death situations.
First Reading • 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, 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.
Gospel • Matthew 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?”
Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2026.” E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.