Daily Gospel Reflection for June 28, 2022

Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

I learned something new when I was reading about this Gospel: the Greek word σεισμός (seismos), which means ‘storm’ while over water, also means ‘earthquake’ (see verse 24). My biblical commentary notes that in apocalyptic writing, ‘earthquake’ is often used in terms of shaking off the old so as to put on God’s new kingdom. The only other time it’s used in Matthew is chapters 27 and 28 – Jesus’ death and resurrection. That’s rather significant.

A clue is given to us at the end of the story – the disciples ask, “What sort of man is this?” These men had very particular ideas regarding who the Messiah was to be (as all Jewish people did at the time), and God Himself was not at the forefront of their minds. This event caused an earthquake of sorts in their assumed beliefs. They are shaken by their experience of Jesus, and it is only in the moments of questioning the interpretation of their long-held beliefs and assumptions that true understanding can penetrate them. Calming the storm is an amazing miracle, but what is perhaps more miraculous is that the disciples finally ask the right question: “What sort of man is this?”

We too need that earthquake, or that storm. It is when we are shaken to our core in our own assumed interpretations that we allow the Holy Spirit to penetrate through the veil. It does not have to be an outside event; when we allow Christ’s message to truly disturb us and cause us to question our assumptions, the Holy Spirit can work miracles in our hearts.

Ponder:

What kinds of faith interpretations have you experienced that blind people from seeing the Holy Spirit at work? Can you identify any in your own assumptions?

Pray:

Holy Spirit, allow us to be disturbed by You in our faith so as to let You shine forth more clearly in our lives. Help to rid the shackles that prevent us from seeing You in everyone.

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Calming the storm is an amazing miracle, but what is perhaps more miraculous is that the disciples finally ask the right question: “What sort of man is this?” #dailygospel

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