Monday, 18th Week in Ordinary Time
You and I are caught in the storms of life. They may be hitting our personal life, marriage or family –with problems, troubles and crises. They may be battering our health, business or finances –with very bad prognosis and negative forecast. They may be pounding on our profession, career or job –with unfair competition and threat of collapse. Our instinct when the storms of life come is to think that God has abandoned, God has forsaken us. But today’s gospel teaches us that the Lord is with us even in the storms – even in the fiercest storms –telling us, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”
The Lord does not promise to spare us from the storms of life; but he promises to be with us through them. God’s help comes in a variety of forms. It may not always come in the forms we expect, but it will come. He will never leave us to struggle on our own.
It is said that sometimes the Lord calms the storm; sometimes he lets the storm rage and calms his child. I do not know what storm of life will come your way, or what storm you may be enduring at this very moment. But I know this: even as the storm rages around you, if you will listen very carefully with your heart, you will hear a gentle voice telling you, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”
We may find ourselves in the midst of the storms, but as long as Jesus is with us, we can find peace –we just need to hear the Lord Jesus telling us: When you ask for my help, I will answer your prayer. When you are fearful, I will give you faith to trust me, peace of mind, and courage to go on. When you are weak and weary, lean on me and I will give you strength like you have never known. When your heart is broken, I will mend it. “I cannot keep you from all hardships and sorrows, but I can make the troubles of life bearable and bring about good in the end. I can help your spirit rise above the storms of life. The present storm will pass… In the meantime, let me keep you through the storm.
So, when troubles come, hear the Lord speak, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”
Parokya ni Osong 