HOMILY OF 13TH TUESDAY OF ORDINARY TIME — YEAR A
HOMILY THEME: “WHY ARE YOU TERRIFIED , O YOU OF LITTLE FAITH?”
BY: Fr. Mike Lagrimas
Jesus got into a boat and 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?”
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The picture of a baby sleeping so peacefully in the bosom of his mother never fails to warm our hearts. The baby feels so safe, secure and peaceful. He is certain nothing will harm him. He knows that everything he needs will be taken care of by his mother.
This is what our attitude should be as Christians. As His beloved children, God takes care of us, and gives us everything we need. Like a baby in its mothers arms, we should feel secure and at peace, knowing that God is our loving and providential Father. If He gave His Son Jesus for us, He will surely give us everything else that we need. Such is what St. Paul told the Romans: “He who did not spare his own Son but handed him over for us all, how will he not also give us everything else along with him?” (Rom 8:32).
The Gospel today is a beautiful illustration of this wonderful truth. The disciples were in the boat as they cross the Sea of Galilee. The Lord Jesus is with them in the boat, but He is asleep, perhaps due to a long and tiring day. Suddenly, a storm blows up. Strong winds and big waves threaten to sink the boat. In great fear, the disciples shout, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!”
Jesus wakes up but His reaction is not towards the situation they are in, but towards the disciples. He strongly reprimands them: “Why are you terrified, O you of little faith!” Then He stands up and rebukes the wind and sea. Immediately there is complete calm. The disciples are filled with amazement: “What sort of man is this, whom even the winds and the sea obey?”
This Gospel incident can be considered a kind of parable. The disciples in the boat is the image of the Church journeying towards the heavenly destination. The rough seas and storm are the numerous trials and difficulties She encounters in the world. But Jesus is in the Church. He is Emmanuel, “God with us.” He fulfills His promise: “I am with you until the end of the age.” At times, though, He seems asleep and remote, unaware and uncaring of their plight.
But He remains the Lord of heaven and earth. And He knows fully well our plight and He truly cares. Although life in this world is difficult and dangerous, there is nothing to be afraid of. Fear is just a symptom of lack of faith: “Why are you terrified? O you of little faith!”
Let us, therefore, entrust ourselves to God’s loving care and protection. We ask Him for the grace of an increase of faith. May always be aware of His abiding presence among us at every moment of our lives, so that we may fully overcome our fears and live in peace.
St. Alphonsus Liguori gives us this beautiful food for thought: “Those whose hearts are enlarged by confidence in God run swiftly in the path of perfection. They not only run, they fly: because, having placed all their hope in the Lord, they are no longer weak as they once were. They become strong with the strength of God, which is given to all who put their trust in Him.”
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