Rough Seas in Pandemics.

"At once [Jesus] spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” (Matthew 14: 27).

Monday 3rd August 2020, 18th Week in Ordinary Time. Pandemics is anything but ordinary.

The early Church adopted the idea of lectionary [Book of Daily Mass Readings] from the Jewish custom of reading extracts from the Old Testament on the Sabbath. The lectionary has evolved and the last revision was 1994. The daily Mass Readings we find in the lectionary are inspired by the Holy Spirit. The Roman Missal is my Book for reading and meditating on the word of God daily because I believe that God uses the inspired texts and its daily arrangements in the lectionary to speak one message to the Church worldwide.

What does the Spirit seem to be saying to the world today through the Mass Readings?

#1 "Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God." (Matthew 4: 4 Gospel Acclamation).

Some people worry too much about the economy, job and money but God reminds us He is in control.

#2 "At once [Jesus] spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” (Matthew 14: 27).

The disciples of Jesus were terrified by the rough sea and storms. The boat symbolizes the Church today adrift in the open wild and unfriendly sea of the pandemics. We disciples of Jesus are attacked by fear, worry and doubts. What may God be saying to the world before calming the sea? The answer may be in the first Reading for today:

# 3 "For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: A yoke of iron I have placed on the necks of all these nations serving Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, and they shall serve him; even the wild animals I have given him." (Jeremiah 28: 14).

Nebuchadnezzar may symbolize false gods and idols especially money and materialism.

Jesus knows exactly where we are on the sea. He knows exactly what we need: Repentance, Reconciliation and Revival. O that we will listen to His voice today. Let us not harden our hearts.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com