Tuesday of week 13 in Ordinary Time
The First Martyrs of the See of Rome
Gospel: Matthew 8:23-27
In today’s Gospel (Matthew 8:23–27), the disciples find themselves overwhelmed by a violent storm while Jesus sleeps peacefully in the boat. After calming the wind and the sea with a simple command, Jesus leaves them astonished, and they ask: “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the sea obey him.” This question leads to the very heart of Christian faith. Jesus is truly man, He grows tired, sleeps, shares our human condition, and journeys with His disciples. Yet He is far more than man. His authority over creation reveals His divine identity. The One who commands the sea is the same Lord who created it. The Gospel invites us to move beyond seeing Jesus merely as a wise teacher, a moral example, or a historical figure. He is the Son of God, present with us, possessing power over nature, evil, sin, and death itself. This faith gave strength to the First Martyrs of the See of Rome, whom we commemorate today. They entrusted their lives to Christ because they knew He was not simply a man worth admiring, but God worthy of absolute trust and total self-giving. Every storm in our lives becomes an invitation to renew this same profession of faith: the One who is in our boat is not only our companion in suffering but also the Lord who has the power to bring peace where we see only fear and chaos. Let’s reflect: When I face the storms of life, do I truly believe that Jesus is not only my companion but also my God, whose word has the power to calm every fear, overcome every obstacle, and bring lasting peace?
Don Giorgio