Gospel Reflection for the Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A.
By The Benedictine Community
Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.(Psalm 84)
This gospel of Jesus walking on the storm-tossed waters of the Sea of Galilee describes those times in our lives when troubles begin to overwhelm us. We seem to be in the boat alone at the mercy of relentless winds and rains. Or, we might extend the image to the Church of Christ, battling malign forces within and without. We can take partial comfort that this will always be the situation in this world, as Jesus foretold. 'In this world you will have trouble, but take heart I have overcome the world.' (Jn. 16\;33) Staying calm in the storm, keeping faith in the loving providences of God which tend always to peace, living in the present moment in gratitude for the graces we have is the best way of staying close to Jesus as he stretches out his hand.
These words in the lovely hymn, sung to the tune, Finlandia, apply here.
'Be still my soul, the tempests still obey His word, who ruled them once on Galilee.'