It is 30th June 2015. The readings are from Genesis 19:15-29 and the Gospel from Mt. 8:23-27. The first reading brings out the post destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. The people of those cities mesmerised by the culture of pleasures ignoring God and the wellspring of life. We could be punished by God when we fail to obey God. Look at what had happened to the wife of Lot. Even though God brought them out of the pleasure seeking communities, before he could rain sulphur and salt, she did not want to listen and had “turned into a pillar of salt.” (Gen. 19:26). God punishes sin. God is God of mercy, more anxious to pardon than to punish. Lot was given a favour from God because of Abraham. Our relationship with the others are based on love of God and love of other, we will be always spared by God. The responsorial Psalm reminds us, “Your love, O Lord, is before my eyes.” (Ps.25:3). In Gospel we see Jesus out on the lake with the disciples when a storm blows up and the disciples panic. Jesus calms the storm showing them his power and authority even over nature itself. Jesus wanted to teach them a lesson of faith through this storm. Every storm happens in our life for a reason. We do not need to panic like the disciples on the boat. “You of little faith, why are you so afraid” (Mt. 8:26). When our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is weak, we begin to feel God cannot or won’t work in that situation. It is through the eyes of faith, we begin to notice who God is amidst tossing of waves. The power of Jesus that calmed the storm can also help us deal with the problems we face. May we not discount Jesus during the times of unexpected storms in our lives. May God bless you.