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Real Peace During the Storm - Family Reflection Video

Real Peace During the Storm - Family Reflection Video

Why pray?  |  Strengthening family unity

Evangelist Matthews emphasis on Jesus' 'wondrous works enables him to reveal Jesus’ true Messianic identity. In the Old Testament, Moses commanded the sea with his rod; Joshua with the Ark of the Covenant; Elisha with the prophet's mantle, but Jesus calms the Sea of Galilee with His word.

The Sea of Galilee is a lake thirteen miles long from north to south and eight miles across from east to west at its widest. It is notorious for its sudden storms. Although a storm can be amazingly glorious, magnificent, and magical, a violent storm is no fun - especially if you're in a little fishing boat on the sea!

 

Unable to control their fears, the disciples wake Jesus up, accusing Him of disregarding their safety. Jesus’ 'response is immediate.’ At once He rises, and rebukes the winds and the sea which instantly calm down. Only then does Jesus gently chide His terrified - and now astonished - disciples for the smallness of their faith.

 

A question lingers in my mind … how could Jesus sleep through all that turmoil?

 

The events in this gospel can be compared to those in our daily lives. Let's ponder a few questions.

 

  • What is the wind and sea in your life that you feel is about to take you under?
  • Have you ever felt as though Jesus was asleep in your boat?
  • Have you dared to wake Him?
  • Has Jesus ever stood up in your life and created a great calm?

 

Yes, I have experienced a great calm in the midst of life's stormy weather. What often puzzles me is that I stewed in the turmoil for so long, trying the best I could, and sought help from other people too, before I could awaken Jesus. I turned to Jesus only as a last resort.

 

Each of us is making a journey across the sea of time, and it is natural that we will experience different types of storms occasionally: physical, emotional, and spiritual. We will face storms of sorrow, doubts, anxiety, worries, temptations, and passion. Only Jesus can give us real peace in these storms. Only He can console us in the storm of sorrow when we lose a dear one.

 

When the storms of doubt seek to uproot the very foundations of our faith, Jesus is there to still that storm, revealing to us His Divinity and the authority behind the words of Holy Scripture. He gives us peace in the storms of anxiety and worries about ourselves, about the unknown future, and about those we love.

 

The question is then, do we dare to wake up Jesus in the first place or does He come to mind as our last resort?


  • Thank you to the following for homily concepts:
    1. Father Tony’s Homilies 
    2. Living with Christ 
    3. Weekday Homilies, Mark Link, S.J. 
  • Father Boby's inspirational homily was recorded live this morning during Mass at the Father Peyton Center. Please view the video on our Facebook page. (You don't need a Facebook account to view.) 

  • To view Rosary prayer and Mass streaming live, please visit our Facebook page at 11:30 am EDT, Monday – Friday. Please invite your loved ones to join us too! (You don't need a Facebook account to view.)

About Father Boby John, C.S.C.

Father Boby John, C.S.C., ordained a priest in the Congregation of Holy Cross in 2008, worked as a pastor and as an educator with tribal populations in Northeast India for thirteen years. Originally from Kerala, India, Father Boby grew up with three siblings. He is a dedicated and detailed educationist with experience in educational leadership. He is currently working as an executive assistant at the world headquarters of Holy Cross Family Ministries, North Easton, Massachusetts.