13th Week in Ord. Time, Tuesday – 28th June 2022 — Gospel: Mt 8, 23-27
Pray in Dark Moments
In Matthew 8 we find Jesus cleansed a leper, healed a centurion’s servant, and healed many at the house of Peter. He was truly a physical healer. Now towards the end of chapter 8, we also see his power over nature, even the winds and the seas obeyed him. The cry of the people in the boat, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” is a prayer that echoes Psalm 130, 1-2 “Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord. Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications”. It is a prayer offered at the darkest times of one’s lives, when we feel completely powerless to help ourselves. Jesus sleeping in the midst of a storm is a very powerful image of God’s sovereignty over even the darkest times in our lives. He is ever present, even though he is not awake. St. Therese of Lisieux used to meditate often this passage in times of her inner confusion or darkness. Yet she wouldn’t feel the need to wake the Lord. Instead, she felt comfortable and said it was just enough to sit beside him as Jesus slept.
