“And in His name the Gentiles will hope.” // Matthew 12:21
I stood at the edge of the swimming pool. The pavement was warm beneath my feet, and the sun beat against my back as I stared into the deep, glistening water. At nine years old, I was not a strong swimmer. In fact, the only thing I could do was swim back and forth underwater in the shallow end. When I ran out of breath, I could easily put my feet down and pop up for air.
But on this particular day I was feeling brave and adventurous. I thought I would try to swim underwater from the deep end to the shallow end. It didn’t look far, and all I had to do was stay close to the pool wall and pull myself out if I got tired. I took a deep breath and jumped, and while I confidently swam for a few feet, there came a moment when I lost track of the wall and came up in an area too deep to stand. Panic seized my little body, and I began to thrash around, trying to kick with all my strength but failing to get any closer to safety. I was paralyzed by fear, and kept my eyes and mouth shut tight.
Until I remembered that my stepfather was close by. He would hear me if I cried out, and between choking gulps of water I yelled his name, then felt myself lifted out of the water. Felt myself safe again. All I had to do was call his name.
Today’s Gospel refers to the fulfillment of the words spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “And in His name the Gentiles will hope” (Matthew 12:21). Hope. I know that I often forget to speak the name of Jesus with the hope that He will come.
Sister, sometimes we try to face the anxieties of life without the help of the Lord. We feel ourselves drowning in our circumstances, afraid to cry out to Jesus. But I pray that you remember that the name of Jesus has power. He is our Savior. All you have to do is call His name.
Leana Bowler is a wife and mother of five little ones. She is a Holy Rosary enthusiast with deep devotions to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Her love for the message of Divine Mercy led her to become a Marian Missionary of Divine Mercy. She enjoys the miracles of family life, strong coffee, and encountering others on this journey to sainthood. She was a contributing author to And Hay Became Holy and Made New: 52 Devotions for Catholic Women.
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