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Dear Parish Family,
“Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.” Matthew recorded his Gospel after Peter was crucified, and the Christians were target of persecution in most of the places where Christianity had spread. The two storm stories address issues of danger, fear, and Faith. In both stories, the boat seems to represent the Church, buffeted by temptations, trials and persecutions. In both, Jesus appears as the Church’s champion, strong to save those who call on him in Faith. The recounting of this episode probably brought great comfort to the early Christians, especially those of Matthew’s Faith community. For it offered them the assurance that Christ would save them even if they had to die for their Faith in Him, and that, even in the midst of persecution, they need not fear because Jesus was present with them.
This passage of the Scripture offers the same reassurance to us in times of illness, death, persecution, or during the very uncertain times we are in now. It teaches us that adversity is not a sign of God’s displeasure, nor prosperity a sign of His pleasure, that illness is not a sign of inadequate Faith, nor health a sign of great Faith. Paradoxically, the storms of life can be a means of blessing or conversion. When things are going badly, our hearts are more receptive to Jesus. A broken heart is often a door through which Christ can find entry. He still comes to us in the midst of our troubles, saying, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.” If we permit the chaos and evil around us to distract and influence us, then we will sink into the very chaos that we fear! On the other hand, if we keep our focus on the Source of our safety, our salvation, the One to whom we call out to save us, then the winds die down, and we are once again content in the Presence of the Lord. This is the way we increase or sustain our Faith: by never doubting that the Presence of the Lord is with us every single moment of our lives! Our Catechism reminds us that when we cry out “Lord!” we express our recognition of the Divine Mystery of Jesus., and also shows our respect and trust in the One we approach for help and healing (CCC #448). It is good to ask ourselves: What dominates our life right now fear or faith? Even the most courageous person has some fear of death especially as regards its imminence and manner, as both these are beyond us to predict. Our daily surrender to the one who has our best interest at the center of His heart will give us the courage and calmness to say: ‘Thy will be done.”Fr. Tom Kunnel C.O.