It is so easy to complain when things don’t go our way. We don’t understand why certain situations have to be so hard or why family members have to suffer. If anyone ever had anything to complain about it was certainly Job, but in today’s first reading God called him out on it rather strongly.
God himself teaches us with this passage just how much he dislikes complaining. Our Psalm proclaims: “Give thanks to the Lord, his love is everlasting.” And that sums it up right there. Period. We have the love of God, what more do we need? Thanks be to God!
Our second reading only confirms this thought. “The love of Christ impels us…whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come.” Everything on this earth will pass away. Yet we should not fear, because we are a new creation in Christ and his love impels us forward.
In today’s Gospel, the disciples fell into fear, and Jesus reminded them of his great power and love by calming the storm with just three words: “Quiet! Be Still!” When we call on him in faith, he can calm our storms as well. No matter how strong the winds or how tall the waves, Jesus can help us.
Whenever life’s many trials and tribulations get you down, remember that complaining won’t get you anywhere. Instead, lift your heart and mind to our all-powerful God and give thanks to him, whose love is everlasting.
Tami Urcia, Diocesan Publications