Mk 4:35-41
Job 38:1, 8-11
2 Cor 5:14-17
Focus: Jesus accompanies us on the journeys of our life. Whatever the chaos and the storms are in our lives, we are called to faith that He is Lord in the midst of it all.
It was over 20 years ago that I went on pilgrimage to the Holy Land, but some moments are still vividly on my mind, among them my early morning walk along the Sea of Galilee’s shore when the sun was just rising over the quiet lake.
Another wonderful memory was the boat trip across the lake. In these quiet moments many of Jesus’ words came to my mind that he spoke on the lake and by its shore.
Many people in the towns by the lake live on the fishing industry; they did then and they do today. When Jesus spoke, he made reference to the lake, to the land around it and to the people who lived in the region. He used Peter’s boat as a pulpit when the crowds became too large, and he crossed the lake many times—no doubt with Peter as his captain.
In today’s gospel, Jesus suggests to his disciples that they cross the lake to the other side. The sun has set; soon it will be night. The crowds are left behind. The lake is normally calm, but because of its position—about 700 feet below sea level—sudden storms can occur on it, which sweep down from the surrounding hills and whip up the water.
That’s what happens in today’s Gospel: The weather changes rapidly; and the waves break into the boat so that it starts to fill. In the midst of this chaos Jesus, who must have been tired from a long day of ministry, is fast asleep on the small bench at the back of the boat, his head resting on a cushion. The disciples rouse the Lord in extreme desperation and say, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” Jesus, roused, remains calm and commands the sea to be quiet. After rebuking the storm, Jesus rebukes the disciples for their large fear and their small faith.
Today’s first reading gives us a hint as to how this story has meaning for us today. Life had dealt Job a number of terrible blows: He has lost his property, his family, and finally his health. Job complains to God, but holds on to his trusting faith in God. God does not give a direct answer as to why he had to suffer all this; but God asks, “Who shut within doors the sea … who set limits for it …?” In other words: This earth is my creation. I am here. I am still in charge. Bad things may happen to you, but I haven’t forgotten you.
This passage also shows us who Christ is for us. Once, in the beginning, God has brought forth creation out of the waters of chaos. Christ can do what God does: still the “proud waves” of the sea—even today. Christ can order the waters of chaos within us, he can bring about peace in us and in our lives.
My sisters and brothers, Jesus accompanies us, too, on our life’s journeys as he did with the disciples in the boat as they crossed the Sea of Galilee. Whatever the chaos and the storms are in our lives, we are called to faith that he is Lord in the midst of it all.
In today’s second reading, St. Paul adds to this message: Christ has already done so much creative work in us! In him and through our baptism, we are a new creation. Evagrius Ponticus, the writer among the desert fathers, the early Christian monks who lived in the deserts of Egypt and Palestine,
considers this line of St. Paul a remedy against sadness: “Whoever is in Christ is a new creation. The old things have passed away; behold new things have come.” This can be a good prayer word for us, too, when we fall back into old, unhealthy patterns of thought or behavior: Christ has begun to make us new. He can help us to leave behind what isn’t good for us and what obstructs our freedom. Whoever is in Christ is a new creation. The old things have passed away; behold new things have come.
Storms are unavoidable in our lives: difficult people with whom we work or live, illness, the death of loved ones, trouble due to personal weaknesses or sinfulness…The comment of the disciples when Jesus has stilled the storm is another prayer word that helps me in such situations: “Who is this whom even wind and waves obey?” There is One who can restore the inner calm.
And here is a third line that we heard this morning, which has frequently accompanied me in the course of my day, now again from St. Paul: “The love of Christ impels us.” Because of God’s love that became so visible and tangible in Jesus Christ, I can no longer live for myself. I must imitate him in doing good. This is crucial, too, for my becoming NEW, for your becoming new, ever more completely, through and in Christ. The love of Christ impels us to think, to talk and to act as he did.
AMEN.
~Fr. Thomas Leitner, OSB