Daily Catholic Lectio. Tue, 30 June 2026. People of Little Faith

Daily Catholic Lectio
Tue, 30 June 2026
XIII Week in Ordinary Time
Am 3:1-8, 4:11-12. Mt 8:23-27

People of Little Faith

In today’s Gospel, Jesus calms the storm on the Sea of Galilee. After showing that Jesus has authority over sickness and evil spirits, Matthew now presents His authority over nature.

The Sea of Galilee lies about seven hundred metres below sea level. It is surrounded by hills, and strong winds can rush through the valleys and create sudden storms on the lake – through a funnel effect. Some of the disciples were fishermen and knew this sea well. Yet the boats of that time were small, made of wood, and unable to withstand violent waves.

While the storm rises, Jesus is asleep in the boat. His sleep may be understood as divine peace. It can also represent the apparent silence or absence of God. After the Ascension of Jesus, Matthew’s community faced many difficulties. Through this miracle, the evangelist teaches believers how to face their problems when Jesus seems absent or silent.

The disciples wake Him and cry: “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” They had seen Him give life and healing to the sick and those possessed by demons. Yet, in the storm, they fear that they are going to die.

Before rebuking the winds and the sea, Jesus rebukes the disciples: “Why are you terrified, O you of little faith?”

Their fear weakens their faith. Earlier, when teaching them not to worry, Jesus had called them “people of little faith.” Today, He gives the same message in another form: do not be afraid.

Jesus then rises, rebukes the winds and the sea, and there is great calm. His presence changes the storm into peace.

The Gospel ends with the question of the disciples: “What sort of man is this, whom even the winds and the sea obey?” In the Old Testament, God alone has authority over the sea. He divides the sea during the Exodus, calms the waves in the Psalms, and commands the storm in the story of Jonah. By calming the sea, Jesus reveals His divine authority.

The first reading gives us the words of the prophet Amos. God calls Amos, a shepherd from the southern kingdom of Judah, and sends him to prophesy in the northern kingdom of Israel during the 8th cent. BC.

Amos speaks in the middle of a political and moral storm. He reminds the people that they have been chosen by God, but they have turned away from their calling.

Through a series of questions about cause and effect, Amos teaches that every action has a consequence. Just as an event has a cause, the unfaithfulness and injustice of Israel will bring judgement upon the nation.

Today, we may also experience the apparent absence of God. When storms arise in our lives, where do we fix our eyes? Do we look only at the waves, or do we look towards the Lord who is present in the boat?

Fear makes the storm appear greater and God appear smaller. Faith does the opposite. It reminds us that even when Jesus seems to be sleeping, He is still with us. In the presence of Jesus, the storm becomes calm and peace is born.

Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi
Archdiocese of Madurai

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