Jesus amid strong winds

Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul, 05 August 2025
Tuesday, Memorial of the Dedication of the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome
Numbers 12:1-13     <'[[[[><  +  ><]]]]'>     Matthew 15:1-2, 10-14

When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified. “It is a ghost,” they said and they cried out in fear. At once Jesus spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” Peter said to him in reply, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately jesus stretched out his hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:26-31)

Lord Jesus Christ,
bless me
and keep me focused
on you alone
when strong winds 
blow on my path
especially when I have 
to make important "crossings"
in my life
for me to grow and
mature as a person
and your disciple.

Many times I doubt
and lack the faith in you
even I have experienced
your miracles and salvation
so many times;
I feel afraid
and forget you are there
with me in the darkness of
every crossing in this life,
failing to recognize you,
thinking you are a ghost.

One of the ghosts
I am so afraid of is
the ghost within me,
the strong winds within me
that sway me away from you
and the path of your Cross
life self-doubts;
another ghost I am so afraid
is what others say about me
like that instance in the first
reading when Aaron and Miriam
spoke ill of your servant Moses.

O dear Jesus,
let me be firm in you,
hold on tight to you,
and just look at you
when winds are too strong
and it is so difficult to
get across,
to cross the street
or the sea.
Amen.

Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II, Our Lady of Fatima University, Valenzuela City (lordmychef@gmail.com).