WHY WORRY IF GOD IS INCHARGE? HOMILY FOR TUESDAY OF THE 13TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR C ( SAINT IRANAEUS BISOP AND MARTYR

MATTHEW 8:23-27

A story was told of a group of youths who organized an excursion to an Island. When they got into the boat to travel across the waters the captain of the boat who was an elderly man invited them to pray along with him but the youths were not interested and were busy exchanging pleasantries, chatting, laughing and doing all worth not. After prayer, the captain rowed the boat. Now, halfway into the waters, the wind was against them so much so that the boat was about to capsize. You could hear the youths shouting 'Jesus, Jesus Jesus', some urged for immediate prayer, and while they were praying the captain was busy steadying the boat. When they got to the island eventually one of the youths courageous asked the captain why he didn't join them in prayer and the captain responded that he had prayed at the beginning, entrusting the journey into the hands of God, the turbulent moment was the time for him to get serious with the work of steadying the boat and not to pray.

Dearest brothers and sisters in Christ, Jesus teaches us what should be our attitude at moments of turbulence and anxiety. The need for us to be calm, focused, relaxed and serene. If we have faith in God to whom we entrusted the situation of life, why panic and fear afterwards. Besides, hardly would anyone make the right decision at moments of anxiety. We are told that while Jesus and his disciples were in the boat, without warning a storm broke over the lake, so violent that the waves were breaking right over the boat. But in the midst of these, Jesus was asleep. When they woke him saying we are going down, Jesus responded why are you afraid, you men of little faith. He rebuked the wind and the sea; all was calm (Mt 8:23-26). 

Dearest friends in Christ, the attitude of Jesus e.g calmness, serenity, unwavering faith in God, trust and confidence in God etc, should be our attitude at stormy moments of life. It is a clear indication of the solidity of our faith in God. If God is with us who can be against us. If the master is at rest despite all odds why will the disciples and children be worried and anxious. Many have made terrible mistakes in life due to anxiety and fear, and many have fallen victim to manipulators because of anxiety and fear. Beloved in Christ, the disciples had Jesus in the boat with them; they had no cause to worry and yet they were frightened. No wonder Jesus called them 'men of little faith' before rebuking the storm.

We pray this day that as you entrust with faith and confidence all your turbulent situations of life into the almighty hands of God, may the words of calmness, stillness, cessation, and resolution be declared upon your situation by God; that freedom will be yours in Jesus name. Amen

Have a glorious day!

Fr Remi osj