The readings from Romans 13:8-10 and Matthew 8:23-27, as found in the liturgy for the Third Feria after the Fourth Sunday after Epiphany, remind us of two profound spiritual truths: the primacy of charity as the fulfillment of God’s law, and the need for deep, unwavering faith amid life’s trials.
Love as the Fulfillment of the Law (Romans 13:8-10)
In Romans 13, St. Paul exhorts the faithful to “owe no man anything, but to love one another. For he that loveth his neighbor hath fulfilled the law.” Here, Paul teaches that love is not just one commandment among many but is the very essence of the law. The Catechism of the Catholic Church affirms this, saying that “the law finds its fullness in Jesus Christ” (CCC 2053), and through Christ, the call to love becomes the overarching command that contains and perfects all other laws.
The early Church Fathers echo this teaching. St. John Chrysostom notes that Paul lists various commandments, such as not committing adultery, murder, or theft, to show that all are comprehended in the command to love. Chrysostom writes, “For the sum of the law is love: and he who has learnt to love will not need any commands, nor be obnoxious to prohibitions, but will of himself fulfil all that is commanded.” True Christian charity goes beyond mere adherence to the law—it calls us to a self-giving love that mirrors Christ’s own love for humanity.
St. Augustine also emphasized this principle in his commentary on Romans, stating that “Love and do what you will” because a heart truly set on love will act in accordance with God’s will. This radical love does not abolish the law but internalizes it. When we love as Christ loves, we fulfill the law not by constraint but as a natural outflow of divine charity working within us.
Faith in the Midst of the Storm (Matthew 8:23-27)
In the Gospel of Matthew, we witness the disciples caught in a storm on the Sea of Galilee. As the waves threaten to overwhelm their boat, they panic, crying out, “Lord, save us: we perish!” Jesus rebukes them for their lack of faith before commanding the winds and waves to be still. This miraculous calming of the storm becomes both a demonstration of His divine authority and a lesson in faith.
St. Augustine reflects on this passage, drawing a parallel between the physical storm and the interior storms of our lives. He notes that our hearts are often agitated by temptations and fears, but Christ’s presence brings peace. Augustine’s words are instructive: “When you have to listen to abuse, that means you are being buffeted by the wind. When your anger is aroused, you are being tossed by the waves. So when the winds blow and the waves mount high, the boat is in danger, your heart is imperiled, your heart is taking a battering. On hearing yourself insulted, you long to retaliate. But the joy of revenge brings with it another kind of misfortune—shipwreck. Why this? Because Christ is asleep in you. What do I mean? I mean you have forgotten his presence. Rouse him, then; remember him, let him keep watch within you, pay heed to him.”
St. John Chrysostom also interprets the disciples’ fear as a lesson on trust in Christ. He reminds us that Jesus allowed this trial to test and purify their faith. Chrysostom writes, “He permitted the storm, that they might be convinced of the great weakness of their faith, and that they might cast away all pride.” The disciples’ fear and doubt reveal how easily even those closest to Christ can lose trust when faced with challenges. Yet, when they turn to Him, He immediately brings peace.
Lessons for Our Own Lives
In the intersection of these two readings, we are taught to live in love and to trust in God’s presence and providence. The love St. Paul speaks of in Romans 13 is not merely a sentiment but an active disposition toward others, a love that seeks the good of neighbor as Christ does. This love, when lived out