Read Genesis 19:15-29, Ps. 26:2-3,9-12, Matthew 8:23-27
“Why are you afraid, O men of little faith? Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.” (Matthew 8:26)
Some things should make us afraid, and there are things that we shouldn’t be scared of. Our readings today make this distinction. When we are scared of what we ought to be afraid of, we have reasonable fears, but by the time we are so frightened of things that do not deserve our concerns, we have wrong fears.
In our Gospel passage, Jesus rebuked the disciples for their wrong fears. They were travelling in a boat; behold, a great storm swamped the ship against the waves. Ordinarily, one might assume their fear of death by drowning was legitimate, but Jesus said such a fear was terrible.
By rebuking them, Jesus meant: “You shouldn’t be afraid of things like this because it has a cure – Faith.” Do not be pessimistic in life. Believe in God, and let your faith be so big that you only expect positive outcomes in whatever situation you face. Cast away your wrong fears and have a relaxed mind like Jesus sleeping in the boat.
Our first reading describes the fear we ought to have, the fear of God. Even the bible says: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” (Proverbs 9:10). The people of Sodom and Gomorrah had no fear of God; they committed so many atrocities that God decided to wipe them out.
Lot became wealthy through his association with Abraham. At a point, they had to part ways. Lot looked at the region of Sodom and Gomorrah and saw how beautiful it was. Lot went to Sodom as an extremely wealthy man, but today, he departed from this town empty; not even a single cow or sheep followed him.
This becomes of us when we allow sin to fester in our lives and community. This is why we should fear falling even into the slightest sin. Lot’s wife looked back. She was not afraid of disobeying the Angels’ instructions, so she became a pillar of salt.
Let us pray: Almighty ever-living God, increase my faith that I may cast out my wrong fears and deepen in me the fear of sin. Through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Tuesday of week 13 in Ordinary Time, Liturgical Colour: Green. Bible Study: Genesis 19:15-29, Ps. 26:2-3,9-12, Matthew 8:23-27).
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu