Tuesday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time
What sort of person is this? I start my reflection from the last line of the last reading—the familiar Gospel of Jesus calming the turmoil of the sea. The disciples who had been absolutely terrified witness Jesus’ ability to turn a situation of mortal fear to “a great calm”. Their response is amazement—and to ask one another what sort of person he is. The Amos reading is rather obscure with all its questions but is a good lead in to the Gospel—it’s God noting that the turmoil of the people of Amos’ time and place is a result of their refusal to return to being faithful to their covenant with God. But God doesn’t desire turmoil—God wants them to recognize the “Favor” God has for them.
We live in a time of turmoil. Can we perceive God’s desire for us to have faith in the Favor God has for us and to maintain our calm and equilibrium? Perhaps we can do that best by keeping our focus on the saving power of God and to talk with one another about what sort of person Jesus is as he manifests himself in our own lives.
—Sr. Laura M. Leming, FMI, PhD