A homily on Matthew 14:22–36 :When Jesus Sends Us into the Storm (5-8-25)

 A touching homily on Matthew 14:22–36, reminding us that Jesus stays close even when our obedience leads us into difficulty, (5-8-25)

Praise be to Jesus Christ 

In a quiet little monastery on a hill in the desert, a young monk sat alone in the chapel late at night. The small lamp burned low beside him, and  His face was wet with silent tears. He had left behind everything, his family, his village, his friends, and all his dreams to follow the call of Jesus. But now, he felt empty inside; prayer no longer brought joy. Some of the older monks seemed distant or cold. His heart felt tired and alone. Looking up at the cross, he whispered, “Lord, I obeyed you. Why does it feel like this?”

Just then, the old abbot came in quietly. He saw the young monk and sat beside him, not saying anything for a long time. Then with a gentle voice, he said, “The trees on top of the mountain face the strongest winds, but they also grow the deepest roots.” The monk said nothing, but those few words remained with him. In time, they gave him peace.

Now we turn to the Gospel. Saint Matthew tells us that “Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of him to the other side.” That verse tells us something very important. It was Jesus who sent them into the boat. They did not go on their own and they were not trying to run away. They were obeying Him, and still the storm came.

This is one of the mysteries of following Jesus. Sometimes, we do exactly what He asks, and we still find ourselves struggling. A mother prays every day, teaches her children to love the Lord, and yet faces sorrow in her family. A young religious enters with joy but slowly finds herself feeling lost, misunderstood, and dry in prayer. A priest tries his best to serve with love but feels rejected and tired. In all these moments, the question rises in the heart, “Did I do something wrong?”

But the Gospel says no. The disciples were in that storm because Jesus had sent them. And even though He was not with them in the boat, He had not forgotten them. He was on the mountain, praying for them. His eyes were on them the whole time. And when the night grew darkest, when they had no more strength to fight the wind, He came to them, walking on the sea.

All through the Bible, we see this truth. Joseph obeyed his father and was sold by his brothers. Moses listened to God and spent forty years with a people who often turned against him. Jeremiah preached what God told him to say and was beaten and thrown into a pit. These were not signs of failure, but these were part of being faithful.

Peter, too, began to sink when fear filled his heart. But he cried out, “Lord, save me.” And immediately, Jesus reached out His hand.

Saint Therese of Lisieux once said, “I am not afraid of storms because I am learning to sail my boat.” She did not mean she was strong.  However, what she meant was that  she had learned to trust the One who holds the sea in His hands. Saint John of the Cross said, “If a man wishes to be sure of the road he treads on, he must close his eyes and walk in the dark.” Obedience is that walk and trust is the light.

So if you are passing through a storm now; whether in your family, your prayer, your vocation, or your own heart, remember this: you may be right where Jesus has asked you to be. His eyes are on you, and at the right moment, He will come close. The storm may still roar, but His presence brings peace.

Jesus,  Let me obey you at every moment of my life even if I don’t understand, Amen.

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God Bless..