SATURDAY, THIRD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
Memorial of Saint Thomas Aquinas, Priest, Doctor
Heb 11: 1-2, 8-19; Lk 1: 69-75; Mk 4: 35-41
SENSES CANNOT GRASP THE MYSTERY OF GOD
The readings today speak of the importance of faith in our lives. The passage from the letter to the Hebrews, speaks of how Abraham found justification through his unconditional faith in God. Abraham, called out of his country, and a steady life with a promise of an inheritance and progeny, gave up everything, to follow God, trusting in his promise. Thus beginning with Abraham, then Sarah, Isaac and Jacob chose to trust God, and this faith became their justification.
In the Gospel, the disciples of Jesus, simple folk with simple minds, witnessed many miracles, heard the teaching of Jesus, and are shrouded in doubt. They could not trust him unconditionally. Unlike Abraham, their faith wavers. It is not only disciples that face this predicament. We too more often than not end up in these kinds of situations of storms and choppy waters. When faced with challenges, sickness, trials, troubles and doubts, where all seems to be lost, and no way out, then we too like disciples can end up in self-doubt, falling in depression, fear, etc. We feel as if God is not even concerned with our predicaments. However, God is always in charge of every situation we face. Just as he remedied the situation in the Gospel, and restored calm, he can help us through any kind of storm in life. We have to however unconditionally put our faith in him.
Saint Therese teaches this attitude of complete trust and surrender to God, through her little way. It is in this doctrine that she teaches us that we are God’s beloved children, and he is our loving Father, who cannot but reach out to his children, and to lift them high. Today we celebrate also the memorial of St. Thomas Aquinas, who is another example of living faith in God. He being guided faith and trust in God, could arrive finally that only through faith and trust can we able to encounter the mystery of God.
Response: Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited his people.
Copyright ©2023 ©Springs of Living Water http://springs.carmelmedia.in