Amos
3:1-6; 4:11-12 / Matthew 8:23-27
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There’s a colorful passage in Luke’s Gospel where
Jesus compares the people of his time to petulant, ill-humored children playing
games in the street. One group complains to the other group: “We played wedding
music for you, but you wouldn’t dance! We sang funeral songs, but you wouldn’t
cry!” Luke 7:32
That’s the way the people of Israel responded to the
preaching of Amos. There was nothing Amos could do or say to get them to repent
and change their ways. Nothing would move them. Finally, there was nothing to
do but pass judgment on them.
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How responsive are we to God’s grace, constantly
inviting us to draw closer to him? “How many times I wanted to put my arms
around all your people, just as a hen gathers her
chicks under her wings, but you would not let me!” Luke 13:34
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It is often said that life is so unpredictable. It is so
true especially when calm turns to chaos. It may happen on the expressway when
we are driving when suddenly another vehicle swerves into our path from
nowhere. Or we may be doing our work happily when suddenly the fire alarm goes
off and everyone starts to jump up from their seats and wonder if there is an
emergency.
Certainly, life is unpredictable, and more so when calm turns to chaos. But it
was when calm turns to chaos that the disciples began to have a deeper glimpse
of who Jesus is. And when the prophet Amos warned the people of impending
punishment and chaos, he also urged them: Israel, prepare to meet your God.
Every situation of chaos, of tribulation, of danger is a time to meet our God
and to have a deeper encounter with Him.
And when the Lord has calmed the turbulence within us, then we in turn can be
His prophet of peace. Like Amos the prophet, when we come across a chaotic
situation, we will also know that it is a time to meet our God who is our
Saviour.
Tuesday of 13th Week of
Ordinary Time
IN WIND AND STORM
Introduction
Amos questions the people of God
and asks them to give an account of how they have answered God’s love. We have
to recognize the Lord’s presence and to keep trusting in him, when storms rage
within us and in our world as they threaten to engulf us and make us ask:
“Lord, where are you?” These may be the storms of temptation, of doubts and
fears regarding the faith, of threatened loyalty. The winds of change too, may
be howling typhoons tossing the bark of the Church around, before we can enter
the calm waters of a renewed Church. The Lord is there, we should not be
afraid.
Penitential rite:
-You alone have I favored, more
than all the families of the earth, says the Lord; yet we have been unfaithful,
LHM
-You were like a burning stick
plucked from the fire, says the Lord; Yet we have gone away from you, CHM
-When the storms of life terrify
us, we come as people of little faith, LHM
Opening Prayer
Lord our God, you let your Son
reassure us with a word of reprimand: “Why are you afraid, people of little
faith?” Let that little faith grow in us and make us absolutely certain that
you are with us in your creation, in the dark and in the night, in the wind and
in the storm, even in the depths of death. For you are the God who said: “I am
there for you,” now and for ever.
Gospel Reading Introduction
We have to recognize the Lord's
presence and to keep trusting in him when storms rage within us and in our
world as they threaten to engulf us and make us ask: "Lord, where are
you?" These may be the storms of temptation, of doubts and fears regarding
the faith, of threatened loyalty. The winds of change too may be howling
typhoons tossing the bark of the Church around, before we can enter the calm
waters of a renewed Church. The Lord is there, we should not be afraid.
Commentary
The image of the
boat being tossed and turned by the winds and rain is very much an image of the
Church. The Church is the refuge from the storm, without which we would perish.
And even though the boat may be rocked by world events or even by scandal from
within, we know that the Lord Jesus is within the boat, and that He will make
sure that none be lost, for He desires that all be saved. May we stay on board the ship of faith that
is the Church. With the Lord as its captain, is there any doubt that we will
reach the heavenly harbor?
Meditation: What
is stronger than fear, even the fear of death? Scripture gives an answer:
“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18).
The Wisdom of Solomon tells us that “love is stronger than death” (Song
of Songs 8:6). Jesus' sleeping presence on the storm-tossed sea reveals the
sleeping faith of his disciples. They feared for their lives even though their
Lord and Master was with them in the boat. They were asleep to Christ while he
was present to them in their hour of need. The Lord is ever present to us. And
in our time of testing he asks the same question: Why are you afraid? Have
you no faith? Do you recognize the Lord’s presence with you, especially
when you meet the storms of adversity, sorrow, or temptation? Whenever we
encounter trouble, the Lord is there with the same reassuring message: “It
is I, do not be afraid”.
Homily Prayer
"Lord Jesus, may we always
recognize your abiding presence with us. And in times of trouble or fear may we
find courage and strength to respond as you would. Help us to rely upon you in
all circumstances and to trust in your help both in adversity and in
temptation".
Intercessions
– For the Church of Jesus Christ,
that its faith and love may not waver in the difficulties and storms of our
time, we pray:
– For sailors and fishers, that
the sea may be peaceful and generous to them; for all who travel, that they may
safely reach their destination, we pray:
– For ourselves, that we should
never be afraid, for we know that Jesus is with us. That we may remain serene
and in peace, we pray:
Prayer over the Gifts
Lord our God, we have prepared
this bread and wine to welcome your Son in our midst. May we also recognize his
presence and keep relying on him in our human achievements. May no success,
however great, cause us to forget that without him we can do nothing, that this
world is your creation and that we can be fully human only in Jesus Christ, who
lives with you and with us for ever.
Prayer after Communion
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to
whom else should we entrust ourselves than to Jesus, our God-with-us? Let him
sail with us to brave the waves, and to face the heart of the storm. When he is
with us, even when apparently asleep, let us no longer be afraid of committing
ourselves to your sea, for we are sure Jesus will lead us to your safe harbour
of peace for ever.
Blessing
“Why are you afraid, people of
little faith?” Let us entrust ourselves wholeheartedly to the Lord. With him,
we can overcome all difficulties. May Almighty God bless you, the Father, and
the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
