July 2, 2024
13th Week in Ordinary Time
Keep Calm and…
Then he got up, rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was great calm.
Matthew 8:26

It must have been some storm! At least four of the apostles were fishermen by trade, and surely, they’d navigated their share of high winds and waves. But this one was different. The disciples were so terrified and convinced death was imminent that they woke up Jesus, pleading for help.

To be sure, Jesus stopped the storm. But first, he did something that was even more important: He wondered at the men’s lack of faith. They had been with him through so much; they had just seen him cure Peter’s mother-in-law’s fever and people who were possessed by demons. Did they truly not believe he would protect them?

Yes, the winds and the sea were stilled. But calm also fell upon the apostles’ hearts and souls.

It’s never wrong to turn to Jesus for help when we are troubled. But as we pray, may our faith keep us calm and confident amid what to others seems like the storm of the century.

Jesus, help me to trust in you.

- Melanie Rigney

Amos 3:1-8; 4:11-12 ✚ Psalm 5:4-8 ✚ Matthew 8:23-27
Stormy day at Baltic sea. Image by Julija |stock.adobe.com
Image of the day

Comments

July 2, 2024 at 02:53 PM

We recently heard this same story only from Mark’s gospel account. I recall that our pastor, in his homily, stated that we shouldn’t wait for the storms in our lives to reach out to God. He’s always there, listening for us, to reach out not just in difficult times but in times of joy. To thank Him for the many blessings that we have received. I know for me, amidst all the turmoil in my life, I feel so blessed by God and I always give Him thanks first and foremost for all the blessings that he has given me. Have a great and wonderful day, LFF.

July 2, 2024 at 12:06 PM

Living faith family looking out my window I see beautiful red cardinals and remember the saying "where cardinals appear, angels are near" Thought I would share. Vicky G you are still in my thoughts and prayers. Ken

July 2, 2024 at 10:39 AM

Why storms? What is the purpose of storms? Why homework and what is the purpose of homework? Let's look at the story of Jonah in Jonah 1:1-17 *** Bring us to repentance in Jonah 2:1-10 *** Grow us spiritually in Jonah 3:1-10 *** Reveal Himself to us in Jonah 4:1-11 ******* Bottom line in Colossains 1:16, "All things were created in Him. He created everything in heaven and on earth. He created everything that can be seen and everything that can’t be seen. He created kings, powers, rulers and authorities. All things have been created by Him and for Him!" Amen!!!

July 2, 2024 at 09:22 AM

AMEN!

July 2, 2024 at 09:10 AM

Melanie, so many storms in our life and so happy to have Jesus in the boat with us. Cheryl, praying for continued blessings for your island and for weather that is not destructive. Continuing to lift Roman, Ellen and their family! Amen.

July 2, 2024 at 09:06 AM

Lord please hear our prayers and bring your light to all those experiencing natural disasters, Haiti, the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, Darfur, the Sudan, and all those suffering around the world - also for their strength, courage and resilience to continue walking in faith. Send them your light. Father in Heaven, have mercy on us and on the whole world! You sent Your Son, the Prince of Peace, for the salvation of the world. We pray that the Peace of Christ will reign in Haiti, the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, Darfur and Sudan. Please protect and send aid to those in need and all who are at-risk. We pray for peace and rebuilding– we who are working towards it and for all those who are suffering or in danger from conflicts. We pray for an end to violence and war – we pray for wisdom for all leaders who have a hand in this. Lord God please help those in most need of thy mercy. Amen.

July 2, 2024 at 08:04 AM

There are many storms in life. Jesus either calms them or calms us as he gives us the grace to go through them and he stays in the boat with us. “Lord I believe, help my unbelief.”

Melanie Rigney
July 2, 2024 at 01:32 PM

Anne, love the way you put that! I will be chewing on that at adoration this afternoon, and praying for the LF family.

Kjc
July 2, 2024 at 11:09 AM

Anne I will keep that saying in my feeble brain "he either calms it or calms us" Please Continue to pray for Dennis and Shelly, Christine and Stephanie and those who have no one to pray for them. Ken

July 2, 2024 at 07:24 AM

Amen.

July 2, 2024 at 06:25 AM

Bill, I am so sorry for the loss of your long standing friend, Richard...may he rest with the angels now.....O Melanie, your reflection today so applies to the hurricane, Beryl which passed over Trinidad and Tobago early Sunday morning....no damage done... the Lord did in fact calm the sea and sky.. ... it's been devastating for some of the other islands like sunny Cariaccou which was decimated...may thanks for your prayers yesterday....please continue praying for us as we have other weather systems heading our way....peace and love to everyone

July 2, 2024 at 06:13 AM

“Jesus, help me to trust in you.”, Amen :)

July 2, 2024 at 03:51 AM

So Sorry for your loss Bill. I'm sure Richard knew you were there and your prayers lead him on the path to Heaven. May he rest in the Peace of our Lord.

July 2, 2024 at 03:24 AM

To my LF family, yesterday evening, we lost our friend and neighbor Richard of over 36 years. Given only 4 months over a year ago he battled cancer to the end. He was a great neighbor to all of us who lived around him. His Halloween display brought hundreds of kids for candy, as well as his Christmas display. We visited him about an hour before he passed and said prayers over him. Unresponsive as he was, I felt he knew we were there. I will miss you my dear friend!

JJC
July 5, 2024 at 07:27 AM

Condolences Bill on the sad loss of your friend and neighbor, Richard. He has transitioned from this life of pain and suffering into the new life of heavenly bliss. May God receive his soul into perpetual peace. Be comforted!

Bill S
July 2, 2024 at 02:48 PM

Bill, so sorry to read your post about your friend and neighbor Richard. May the angels carry him to his eternal resting place and may his family be comforted by your kindness and friendship. Amen!????????

Pam
July 2, 2024 at 11:19 AM

Bill L. Please know that I have Richard ~ and you, tucked in my prayers. God Bless Richard And All Who Love Him.

Kjc
July 2, 2024 at 11:06 AM

Bill I am sorry for the loss of your friend Richard, I will pray for you and him right now. I know that he was aware of your prayers and caring. Ken

Vicky G
July 2, 2024 at 09:49 AM

The one thing my mom wanted at the time of her death was prayers, prayers, prayers. I will pray for your heart to heal and have peace Bill, but will also pray for Richard. What a wonderful faith our Catholic Church brings to us that we can pray for the dead. I’ve encountered other Christian faiths that do not believe in praying for the dead. We all need someone to intercede on our behalf when we are transitioning from this world into the next. Ken, many of my prayers are devoted to those souls whom I do not know their name as well as some I can name but there is no one living left to pray for them. And I pray for you, my dear friends, in each of your special intentions. May you feel His presence through them!

TW
July 2, 2024 at 09:44 AM

God Bless you Bill, Richard's Family and other Friends!

jane
July 2, 2024 at 09:07 AM

Bill, so sorry for the loss of this tender heart. Eternal rest grant unto Richard and let perpetual light shine upon him. Amen

Stormy
July 2, 2024 at 08:36 AM

Bill L. Sorry for your loss. May your neighbor rest in peace with God and be free of all pain and struggles.

Kevin M
July 2, 2024 at 07:59 AM

Sorry for the loss of your friend, Bill. I’m sure he felt comfort with you as his neighbor.

Irene
July 2, 2024 at 07:42 AM

My sincere condolences on the loss of your dear friend & neighbor. May he rest in the arms of our Lord fotever.

Joann
July 2, 2024 at 05:39 AM

Sorry to hear of the loss of your friend. Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord

Stormy day at Baltic sea. Image by Julija |stock.adobe.com
Image of the day

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