“God is always in control…”

Tuesday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time/ June 30, 2020

Photo Credit: Elizabeth George

Gospel: Matthew 8:23-27

Friends, in today’s Gospel Jesus and His disciples got into a boat. Suddenly a violent storm came up on the sea, and the boat was being swamped by waves. Jesus was asleep, and the disciples were all terrified and crying out to Him, “Lord, save us!” And as Jesus got up, He rebuked the winds and the seas, and there was great calm.

What does our Gospel today tells us? There are three things that we need to ponder in our Gospel today: 1. The violent storm, the seas, and the waves are forces which we cannot control, and which are always coming to us. 2. God is always in control. 3. Serenity.

“The violent storm, the seas, and the waves” – In our life, there are always forces, maybe it will appear as difficult situations, problems, or encounters, which we do not have in control. One example is the ‘pandemic’ which until now is strong, spreading fast, and affecting many particularly those who are the poorest of the poor. We really cannot control situations like this but we can do something! Like the disciples who were terrified of the violent storm and afraid of sinking, yet they did not hesitate to call out the name of the Lord, “Lord, save us!” Although, as Jesus describe their faith as ‘little’, still they called out Jesus for help. For us, we may have little faith like the mustard seed, yet whenever we call out the name of the Lord Jesus, hundred percent sure that he will never fail to help us and save us. Again, let us always remember that there will be situations in our life which we cannot control, what we can do is accept and have faith, and trust in the Lord Jesus.

“God is always in control” – God is always in control whenever heavy situations comes in our lives. He is always the Captain of our on-board ship. And this is always an assurance for all of us, because whatever big or great winds and waves, violent storms and strong floods that will swamped in our lives, we don’t need to worry because we are always safe in God’s care. Yes, more problems, troubles, maybe difficult ones will come in our lives but we can say to it, “let it come to me, I have my great God always abiding in me!” Yes, because He himself said, “I will be with you until the end of the age! I am Emmanuel who is with you always!” Friends, God is always with us, but we need to cooperate and approach Him, to wake Him up like what the disciples did, and let Him control the situations we are in. And I am sure after all these troubles, sufferings, trials and difficulties, serenity comes next. All our fears will be wiped out and peace will dwell in our hearts.

Remember, only Jesus can give us true peace, tranquility, happiness. Only Jesus can calm the storm that is always disturbing us daily. Only Jesus can stop our fears and worries in life. What we need is to ask Him and let Him be the Captain of our life.

Prayer: Abba, our Loving Father thank You for giving us Jesus to be the Captain of our journey in life. May we who board in His Ship, always have faith and trust in His care. Through our Lord Jesus Christ Your SOn, who lives with You in unity of the Holy Spirit, One God forever and ever. Amen.