Throughout His ministry, Jesus performed many miracles; people even came to Him to see the miracles. Some people reacted with wonderment and then went about their business, essentially unaffected. Others, however, reacted with a genuine and deep sense of awe that opened their eyes to God's power and wisdom. And some approached the miracles with a strong faith and were open to the transforming power of these miracles.
In today's Gospel passage, Jesus and His disciples are on a boat, crossing...
Throughout His ministry, Jesus performed many miracles; people even came to Him to see the miracles. Some people reacted with wonderment and then went about their business, essentially unaffected. Others, however, reacted with a genuine and deep sense of awe that opened their eyes to God's power and wisdom. And some approached the miracles with a strong faith and were open to the transforming power of these miracles.
In today's Gospel passage, Jesus and His disciples are on a boat, crossing the Sea of Galilee. The topography and the wind patterns there often cause sudden, unexpected, and dangerous storms, such as the passengers on the boat experienced that day. These storms can be treacherous and frightening. So, it is no surprise that the disciples were amazed that Jesus was fast asleep during this ordeal.
When they awakened Him and questioned His seeming lack of concern, He commanded the sea and the wind to be quiet, to be still, and both the wind and the sea obeyed His command. He then asked, "Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?" His disciples responded with great awe, wondering who this was that even the winds and the sea obey.
The story of this miracle serves a couple of purposes. First, it gives Jesus' disciples and us some insight into the actual power of Jesus, that, just as His Father had tamed the waters in the Creation story, so Jesus had the power to tame them in His time. So, His power is great and all-encompassing.
This particular story, apart from the miracle, is also one of faith and trust. Here, the disciples are understandably frightened by the power of the storm, and yet Jesus is sound asleep. We can learn a lot from Jesus' reaction, or lack thereof.
We often talk about the storms of life - the challenges that we face in life. And there are many: family difficulties, financial worries, conflicts with others, tragedies, illness, the death of loved ones, and the list goes on. Sometimes, we react to these difficulties and challenges how the disciples in the boat reacted, with fear and wondering if God even cares.
But Jesus calls us to respond to these challenges with faith instead of fear. Because of His great faith, He was able to sleep through the storm, trusting that His Father would protect Him. In the end, He used the power the Father had given Him and squelched the storm and the fears of His disciples.
God gives us a similar power, a power to squelch our fears in the face of the storms of life, a power that is born of faith. Faith that God is with us throughout life's difficulties. Faith that God buoys us up when we begin to sink. Faith that when the miracles for which we pray don't materialize, God will still bring us to His kingdom, our ultimate goal.
Indeed, when we are not focused on the ultimate goal - living in heaven forever in the glory of God - the storms of this life seem frightening and overwhelming. But, as St. Paul says, "Think of what is above, not of what is on earth." [1]
From the midst of great turmoil and sadness, the Book of Lamentations says: "My life is deprived of peace, I have forgotten what happiness is. Remembering it over and over, my soul is downcast. But this I will call to mind; therefore I will hope: The LORD's acts of mercy are not exhausted, his compassion is not spent; They are renewed each morning— great is your faithfulness! The LORD is my portion, I tell myself, therefore I will hope in him."+ [2]
[1] Colossians 3:2
[2] Lamentations 3:17, 20-24
