The Lord Sent His Disciples into the Rough Sea. Why?

Fr. Hugh Gillespie, SMM

The Lord Sent His Disciples into the Rough Sea. Why?

To understand more fully the Gospel today, . . .

. . . one needs to pause and contemplate what the Lord says through the prophet Jeremiah in the first reading (not included within this media). The Lord begins with the radical woundedness that resides within His people. The woundedness is further described within the Homily.

The Lord tells us that He did this to you! Woe! That is a troubling statement. I did this to you (plant the seeds of woundedness within you) because of your many sins, . . . because of how you were living. The Lord tells us we feel abandon . . . by design. The Lord tells us we have given our hearts to so many others. Given our hearts to those that can’t save, heal or protect you. Listen more within the Homily.

I let you experience the false consolation. I let you experience the false hope. The Lord lets you experience how alone you truly are in this world.

Why did the Lord do this for us? Because we give our hearts to others in this world. He must let us experience the falsehood of us giving ourselves to something that cannot save us. Why? So that our heart may turn to the Lord! The Homily explains the amazing statement that the Lord has done this to us. Hear more within the Homily.

When We Approach God, It Is Because of His Love and Desire For Us

The Homily also discusses our approaching God. Each one of us, when we approach God, it is not because we love God. It is God’s love for us, and His desire for us to approach Him . . . at that time. Wow! Listen to Homily for a deeper explanation of this statement.

Now turning to the Gospel reading, which tells us the story of Jesus walking to His disciples on the sea. Jesus was not initially with His disciples. He was at prayer. When He finishes His prayer, He moves toward His disciples. The sea is agitated. There is high winds and waves are big and powerful. Note: it was the Lord who sent His disciples into the sea. They are exactly where they need to be. The Lord sent His disciples into the rough sea. Why? So that they would know the Lord. They know Him in a way that words alone cannot convey. Hear more within the Homily.

Listen to this Meditation Media.