Vocations “There was great calm” (Mt. 8:22-27) 1st July 2014

Mass Gospel introduction...  

Nunraw Sacristy tapestry, (H Shaw)

  

Introduction (Abbot Mark). Mass Vocations (Mt. 8: 22-27).

Today we offer Mass for Vocations. As we pray for more vocations to the priesthood and the Religious Life, we see in today’s Gospel, the account of Jeus in the boat with his disciples.

A sudden storm hits them and they fear for their lives.

Vocations are like that. We follow Jesus but we will be tested and only know how much we really trust and rely on him in the storms of life.

As we prepare to offer this Mass in thanksgiving for our vocations, let us remember our continuing need of God to be with us.

Penitential Rite:

Lord Jesus, Give us the confidence to keep following you in difficult and unexpected situation.
- Lord have mercy...

Lord, may we turn to you as we struggle to remain faithful to our commitment to your will.
Christ have mercy...

Lord Jesus, lift us up when we fail you.

Fill us with he the awareness of your healing presence.
Lord have mercy

Tuesday of the Thirteenth week in Ordinary Time

See commentary below or click here

Saint Augustine : "There was great calm" 

Book of Amos 3:1-8.4:11-12.

Fw: The Daily Gospel

On Monday, 30 June 2014, 17:05, DGO <noreply@evzo.org> wrote:

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 8:23-27.

As Jesus got into a boat, his disciples followed him. 

Suddenly a violent storm came up on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by waves; but he was asleep.

They came and woke him, saying, "Lord, save us! We are perishing!"

He said to them, "Why are you terrified, O you of little faith?" Then he got up, rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was great calm.

The men were amazed and said, "What sort of man is this, whom even the winds and the sea obey?" 

Commentary of the day : 

Saint Augustine (354-430), Bishop of Hippo (North Africa) and Doctor of the Church 

Sermon 63 ; PL 38, 424 

"There was great calm"

Christ's sleep is the symbol of a mystery. The ship's passengers represent souls traversing the life of this world on the wood of the cross. In addition, the ship is the symbol of the Church. Indeed, truly... the heart of each member of the faithful is a ship sailing across the sea: it cannot sink provided the spirit engages in good thoughts. 

Has someone insulted you? It is the wind beating against you. Have you become angry? It is the swell mounting. Does temptation arise? It is the wind blowing. Is your soul troubled? It is the waves rising up... Wake up Christ and let him speak to you. “Who, then, is this that even the wind and the sea obey him?” Who is he? “His is the sea for he has made it”; “all things were made by him” (Ps 95[94],5; Jn 1,3). So imitate the winds and the sea: obey your Creator. The sea shows itself to be docile to Christ’s voice and do you remain deaf? The sea obeys, the winds drop, and do you continue to blow? What are we trying to say by this? Speaking, getting upset, plotting revenge: isn’t this continuing to blow and not wanting to give way before Christ’s word? When your heart is stirred up don’t allow yourself to be swamped by the waves. 

If, nevertheless, the wind blows us over – for we are only human – and if it stirs up the bad feelings in our hearts, let us not despair. Let us wake up Christ so as to continue our journey on a peaceful sea.