Jesus is There

July 1: Tuesday of Week 13 of Ordinary Time, Year A-II:

Amos 3:1-8,4:11-12; Psalm 5:4-6, 6-7, 8; Matthew 8:23-27

To surrender to Jesus expressing himself through us in ministry.

Jesus is There

“Why are you terrified, you of little faith?” Matthew 8:26

God is many things for us. But when he took flesh in Jesus, he came as Savior. The name “Jesus” (Yeshua in Hebrew) means “God saves.” Jesus’ surname, “Christ,” is really a title. It is the Greek for Mashia, “Messiah,” which means “the Anointed One.” As Messiah, Jesus was anointed for his triple role as Prophet, Priest and King. The “messianic anointing” that is part of the rite of Baptism consecrates all “Christ-ians” to continue the mission of Jesus on earth as prophets, priests, and stewards of his kingship.

Since Easter, we have been reflecting on our role as prophets. Now we focus on being “priests in the Priest.” Our mission takes on the gentle, healing, nurturing attentiveness to persons that claims priority in ministry. Our dedication to accomplishing what Jesus came to do segues into surrender to what Jesus is doing in us right now. To minister as “priest” is to let Jesus express to others his truth, his trust, his love, in and through our human words, our physical actions.

Today, Jesus reveals himself as Savior. He “got up, rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was great calm.” When we are in danger of anything—being killed, hurt, or rejected; losing jobs, friends, or opportunities; failing professionally, socially or spiritually—Jesus is in our boat.

“Why are you terrified, you of little faith?”

PRAY: “Lord, save us!”

PRACTICE: Live in “great calm.”