Tuesday 13th week in ordinary time
"Mt 8:23-27"
And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him, saying, "Save, Lord; we are perishing." And he said to them, "Why are you afraid, O men of little faith?" Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.
Jesus knew the storm was coming, and yet wanted His disciples to go through it. Yes, Jesus wants us to fight. Temptations are allowed by God because they are good for us. As St Augustine teaches: if there is no temptation there is no fight; if there is no fight there is no victory; if there is no victory there is no prize, no Heaven. Jesus wouldn't stop the storm straightaway, but He wouldn't leave His disciples alone either. He doesn't take the temptations and difficulties from us, nevertheless He helps us to overcome them, to never give up: He is with us in the same boat.
Richard was 17 years old. He wanted to become a priest but his exams didn't go well. The rector of the seminary called Richard's father, a humble blacksmith, for a chat. Richard came into the rector's office with his dad. The rector, with affection, said to his dad, "Listen, your son is a very good lad; but maybe God is not calling him to be a priest. You have to study hard and pass difficult exams for this. Don't worry; your son can give glory to God in a different way." In silence they left the rector's office. Richard writes: 'As if it was yesterday, I remember that cold, dark, wet night. We went home in silence, each of us thinking our own thoughts. Mine were sad. Finally, showing indifference as boys sometimes do, I said, "They can keep their title! I'll get a job and help you, dad." My father put his hand on my shoulder and said: "Don't give up"; then he said 'three words' that I would never forget: "Go ahead, son." These three words were echoing in my ears for hours, days... years: "Go ahead, son." And I went ahead...' He certainly did. He was ordained priest, bishop and, eventually, Richard Cushing became Cardinal of Boston.
Holy Mary, Help of Christians, be with me in times of temptation, and if I get tired of the struggle, help me to feel God at my side, with His Hand on my shoulder repeating: "Don't give up; Go ahead, son."
