Jesus Calms Our Storms - Weekday Homily Video

Thomas Merton, a great Trappist monk, is one of those people whose life exemplifies how a seemingly isolated monastic existence could still become powerful for global connection and spiritual insight. He embodied the idea that deep contemplation could lead to profound engagement with the world’s struggles, rather than withdrawal from them. Through his spiritual insights, shared from his monastic setting, he influenced many spiritual seekers worldwide. He highlighted that true spiritual life involves connecting with God through our daily experiences, rather than separating from the world.

In today’s Gospel reading, we have Jesus who had spent time preaching and feeding the crowds, sending his disciples off across the Lake while he took some time to pray, to be in communion with God the Father. No sooner had the disciples set off than a turbulent storm struck the sea of Galilee. They were gripped with fear for their lives despite being experienced fishermen.

For Jesus, although he was not with them in the boat, he nonetheless was aware of their struggles. Prayer did not remove him from the disciples. While in prayer, he perceived their trouble and decided to come to their rescue.

Two insights for us to reflect on. 

• Jesus valued spending time in communion with his Father through prayer.  While at prayer with God, prayer did not remove him from his disciples. In prayer, Jesus can notice the predicament that disciples were facing, which underscores His awareness of our struggles and his compassionate response to our challenges.
  
  When prayer is a genuine opening to God, it leaves us more open to others, especially to those who are struggling and feel overwhelmed by the storms of life. Prayer, while it requires stepping back from others a bit, makes us more present to them. It must make us more present in ways that reveal God’s loving and sustaining presence to them. 
  
  
• The other insight is having trust and faith in Jesus. While he might seem distant when trials and adversity come our way, he keeps watching over us at all times, and especially in our moments of temptation and difficulty. He walks on the water and calms our storms. He has control over the forces of nature; He is not bound by limitations of this world; he can protect, provide, and guide us in any situation. 

Communion with God

For us, prayer is important in deepening our communion with God. However, our prayer life must also reveal the Lord’s loving presence to others. Let our prayer empower us to reveal something of his loving kindness to those we encounter in life. It must strengthen us to be channels of God’s life-giving presence. It must allow us to remain engaged with the world’s struggles. 

The disciples were gripped with fear as they saw Jesus walk on the water. The invitation for us is, to have faith in Jesus Christ. Believing that he is who He says He is, and that he can do what He says he can do. He can calm all our storms.

Trusting and having faith in him is a continual process of surrendering all our fears to him, while choosing to believe in His goodness, wisdom, and power. Let us pray for the grace to listen to the voice of God through prayer and the readiness to let our prayer life communicate His presence in our lives.

• Today’s Readings
  
  
• Father Fulgen's inspirational homily was recorded live during Mass at the Father Peyton Center this morning. You can view the Mass (and the Rosary at the 30-minute mark) on the Family Rosary YouTube page.
  
  
• To join the Rosary and Mass Livestream, visit the Family Rosary YouTube or Facebook page at 11:30 a.m. Eastern, Monday – Friday. Consider inviting others to join, too! (*If you are not a member of Facebook and a signup window appears, simply select the X at the top of the pop-up message and continue to the livestream.)