June 22, 2024 

Today's Reading: Introit for Pentecost 5 - Psalm 107:29-32; antiphon: Psalm 107:28

Daily Lectionary: Proverbs 25:1-22; Proverbs 26:1-28; John 19:23-42

Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. (Psalm 107:28)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Truly, as the Psalmist says, “Oh give thanks to the Lord for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever!” (Psalm 107:1) Although a man’s faithfulness waxes and wanes, the love of the Lord certainly does endure forever. This introit points us to the scene of our Gospel reading for Sunday.

They cried to the Lord in their trouble, and He delivered them from their distress. (v. 28) Jesus is awoken by His disciples and does exactly as the Psalmist says, “He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed.” (v. 29) All leaving the disciples scratching their heads wondering, “And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, ‘Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?’” (Mark 4:41)

Our Lord is over all the chaos and the calamity of our world. He calms the storms and quiets the seas of our suffering and hardships in this life. We may suffer and cry out, “My God, when will the storm end?” Your God is there for you. He will not leave you or forsake you to the storms of your daily life. Cry to the Lord in your trouble; call upon the one who commands all of creation in the heavens and the earth. The one who created all things has created all things new in Christ Jesus. God Himself came into our flesh and suffered as we have. He brings you through the pain and tough times to the other side of the sea, to your desired haven (v. 29) so that you would see the steadfast love of your God and give thanks and praise to the one who has delivered you.

No, Jesus is not calming seas and storms in front of you. However, He’s still present for you, working the forgiveness of sins, comforting your doubts, and calming your despair. He’s present for you where He’s promised to be found- in His word proclaimed by your pastor. He’s present, giving you life and salvation in the words of the holy Absolution. For where there is forgiveness of sins there is also life and salvation.

Christ Jesus calms the storms of sin and death by uniting you to His death and resurrection in the waters of your Baptism. He’s given for you to eat and to drink and strengthen you in your faith that you would weather the storm and know that the steadfast love of the Lord endures forever. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Evening and morning, Sunset and dawning, Wealth, peace, and gladness, Comfort in sadness: These are Thy works; all the glory be Thine! Times without number, Awake or in slumber, Thine eye observes us, From danger preserves us, Causing Thy mercy upon us to shine. (LSB 726, 1)

- Vicar Justin Chester, Vicar at Shepherd of the City, Fort Wayne, IN

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, Ky.

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