Fourth Sunday After The Epiphany GOSPEL Mt.8.23 The Monday Meditation: A Plaine Path-Way To Heaven By Fr.Thomas Hill 1634

GOSPEL (Matt. 8:23-27) 

At that time, Jesus entered into the boat, and his disciples followed him: And behold a great tempest arose in the sea, so that the boat was covered with waves, but he was asleep. And they came to him, and awaked him, saying: "Lord, save us, we perish." And Jesus saith to them: "Why are you fearful, O ye of little faith?" Then rising up, he commanded the winds, and the sea, and there came a great calm. But the men wondered, saying: "What manner of man is this, for the winds and the sea obey him?"

Monday

Where it is said in the gospel, the disciples raised Christ up, saying Lord save us, we parish, and maketh no mention of anything they did else: It is like they did not raise him only with their voice, but with all moved him with their hands., as they use to do to those, that are fast asleep: and as the Angel did unto Saint Peter, when he was in prison, at Jerusalem: Even so must we awaken God in our afflictions, and tribulations; not only with our voice, in prayer saying; Lord save us, we perish: but we must as it were jog him, and pull him up with our hand, that is with our good works, which is aptly signified by our hands; without which our prayers are not anything worth. Saint James speaking of the efficacy of prayer, saith not that prayer is of great force with God, but the prayer of a just man; and Saint Paul by biddeth us not only pray in every place, but join this unto it, (lifting up your hands) that is to say: adding good works there unto; and not, only our hands to wit good works howsoever, but pure hands, that is to say with a pure, and sincere intention. And this we must not do coldly or dully, But be stir ourselves a many, as ship men use to do in a tempest: that is to say, with great fervor, and zeal. For example, if any impugn, and seek to abolish any point of the Catholic faith to maintenance, and practice the contrary with so much more zeal, and devotion: and the like of any other vice, or sin, that begin to assail the Church of God. Having done thus, we must not be of little faith, as the disciples? To say, we perish; but trust verily that God will awake at last, and command the winds, and Sea of tribulation either spiritual or temporal, to be quiet.