TUESDAY OF THE THIRTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME - Mt 8:23-27 - THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE

"Lord, save us! We are perishing!" Jesus Christ said to them, "Why are you terrified, O you of little faith?" (Mt 8:25-26)

READING OF THE DAY

A reading from the Book of Amos

AM 3:1-8; 4:11-12

Hear this word, O children of Israel, that the Lord pronounces over you,

over the whole family that I brought up from the land of Egypt:

You alone have I favored,

more than all the families of the earth;

Therefore I will punish you

for all your crimes.Do two walk together

unless they have agreed?

Does a lion roar in the forest

when it has no prey?

Does a young lion cry out from its den

unless it has seized something?

Is a bird brought to earth by a snare

when there is no lure for it?

Does a snare spring up from the ground

without catching anything?

If the trumpet sounds in a city,

will the people not be frightened?

If evil befalls a city,

has not the Lord caused it?

Indeed, the Lord God does nothing

without revealing his plan

to his servants, the prophets.The lion roars--

who will not be afraid!

The Lord God speaks--

who will not prophesy!

I brought upon you such upheaval

as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah:

you were like a brand plucked from the fire;

Yet you returned not to me,

says the Lord.

So now I will deal with you in my own way, O Israel!

and since I will deal thus with you,

prepare to meet your God, O Israel.

GOSPEL OF THE DAY

From the Gospel according to Matthew

MT 8:23-27

As Jesus got into a boat, 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?”

TUESDAY OF THE THIRTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Mt 8:23-27

THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE

Dear People of God,

In God's Word today, God the Father shows His love and power for all humanity to see, so that people can always come to Him and rely on Him. No one has a greater love than the love of God the Father. It is only God the Father who is the only One who brings happiness to the Kingdom of Heaven and eternal life for humans. However the world is always in opposition to God, it only brings people false peace and happiness that is short-lived in this life.

God's Word today calls His children to be alert to Satan's temptations. When faced with difficulties and challenges, run to the God of love.

He absolutely affirmed that: He is the God of love, the true God, and the God of life, happiness, and peace. He is always present and accompanies His children in all places and at all times.

All though humans cannot see God with our physical eyes, but believe in God with absolute certainty that He is always with humanity. Open our mouths to call on the power of God: "May your mercy heal me in body and soul. Please keep my soul and body safe in Your hands."

The Word of God today recounts that while the apostles were on the boat, big waves and strong winds came. They were very frightened, not knowing how to escape this fear. It was the spirit of the Holy Spirit that enlightened the apostles to run and call out to their Teacher, Jesus Christ: "Lord, save us! We are perishing!" The apostles' cry for help reached the ears of Jesus Christ. He arose and commanded the sea wind to calm down, and the boat was safe.

Likewise, in today's world, the children of men are facing many difficulties, challenges, and suffering, so God calls everyone to open their hearts and plead to God the Father: "Please mercifully save us." Help us escape these difficulties and challenges; Escape from Satan's captivity, escape from the cycle of ignorance and sin. We ask You to grant our souls peace, and happiness, and to receive the light and love of God the Father."

This is the cooperation between humankind and God: to open our hearts to unite intimately with God through supplication to Him, and to open our hearts to receive the Word of God the Father taught and put into practice.

The Word of God today advises His children to practice exactly as the Word of God the Father teaches, then He will always accompany, preserve, protect, and defend His loved ones.

Additionally, have absolute confidence that He will give all blessings to His children when we know how to open our hearts to receive God's words and cry out for His mercy.

In this life on earth, when we encounter suffering, difficulties, challenges, or any tribulation, please unite closely with God the Father through prayer. He will preserve and give us a peaceful and happy life.

Therefore, do not worry, do not retreat before the big waves and winds, do not fear when facing the challenges of this life, and do not be afraid of any force of the world, the devil, and the flesh.

Be courageous and proud in protecting God's plan, through the witnesses of our lives, by our determination to remain faithful to God the Father.

Determine to absolutely trust in His Love.

In truth, no one holds more supreme power than God, the Father of all humanity.

Thanks be to God. Amen.