Know Christ Better – Reflection on Matthew 8:23-27
It is difficult to share life experiences that shape us, especially deeply personal ones. I have felt the closeness of my possible physical death numerous times. I know faith, grace, and prayer saved me each time. At 50, I looked directly into the reflection of my worldliness to experience a different kind of death, a death to self. Almost two decades have passed since that moment. Christ inside has continued to calm wave after wave of intense internal and external storms of spiritual and physical natures. My most recent challenge is an ongoing, almost two-year battle with advanced cancer. Everything has gone very well due to the support of family, friends, and faith. My response to intense challenges is to trust and know Christ better so that through me, He may touch the lives of others.
Jesus Stilling the Tempest by James Tissot (full-resolution painting)
More details are available on the Brooklyn Museum website.
Additional Ordinary Time Reflections
Matthew 8:23-27 – Scripture*
Jesus Stills the Storm
23 And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. 24 A windstorm arose on the sea, so great that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. 25 And they went and woke him up, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” 26 And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, you of little faith?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a dead calm. 27 They were amazed, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?”
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel reading and considering this Lectio Divina Matthew 8:23-27 Reflection – Know Christ Better.
Would you like to contribute related thoughts to these Lectio reflections of the Gospel readings or other contemplative material to this Web-based ministry? Do you see God’s grandeur everywhere and unconditionally enjoy sharing the love of Christ that you have inside? Are you willing to be anonymous in what you would share? If so, email me.
Prayer for young families:
Lord, let the young families of our communities get to know your joy, peace, comfort, and love despite the world’s distractions.
Attributions
This site has permission in writing from New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) to use the Matthew 8 Bible passage.
This site follows the guidelines for image web use at the Brooklyn Museum and the Jewish Museum websites.