Amos 5:14-15, 21-24. To the upright I will show the saving power of God—Ps 49(50):7-13, 16-17. Matthew 8:28-34.

Lord, we could get distracted easily with today’s gospel story.

Perhaps we feel sorry for the animals or for the people who lost their livelihood. Or we get caught up with the ‘meaning’ of these events.

We can’t understand a lot of what happens in life—wars, the suffering of the innocent, the seeming ease with which we break each other, the smug self-satisfaction. At times, in our own way, we cry out: ‘Jesus, what are you doing, what do you want of us?’

Lord, don’t let us be like the ones who cried out to you, against you, without faith. We stand before you asking questions, yes, but trusting that you lovingly hold this world in the palm of your hand, that you compassionately want to help. Lord, inspire us to make our contribution towards the healing of life’s hurts.