Gospel: Matthew 8:23-27
Jesus got into the boat and his disciples followed him Without warning, a fierce storm burst upon the lake, with waves sweeping the boat. But Jesus was asleep. The disciples woke him up and cried, “Lord save us! We are lost!” But Jesus answered, “Why are you so afraid, you of little faith?” Then he stood up and rebuked the wind and sea; and it became completely calm. The disciples were astonished. They said, “What kind of man is he? Even the winds and the sea obey him.”
Reflection:
"Don't look back."
Archaeological research at Pompeii has shown that, rather than running for their lives during the volcanic eruption, some people turned back. Recent investigations have shown that, instead of fleeing, a man and a woman found in a blacksmith’s workshop appear to have been either hiding a bag of money or attempting to steal it. “Flee for your life and don’t look back,” says the angel to Lot. He follows the command, but his wife looks back. Her hesitation is not simply a fleeting glance but one that roots her to the spot. Perhaps she had a reluctance to leave all she had. Perhaps, in the grip of fear, she doubted that God would, or could, save them. We find that same fear and doubt in the Gospel, as the disciples are endangered by another act of nature, when a storm threatens to sink their boat. They fear that they are lost and plead for help from Jesus. “Lord, save us!” Jesus calms the storm, but he also challenges the disciples, saying, “Why are you so afraid, you of little faith?” Do we really trust in God’s power? Lord, strengthen our faith.
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