Reflection: Mark 4:35-41

12th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Mark 4:35-41

In the opening scene of today’s Gospel, evening is drawing near. Jesus tells his disciples: “Let’s cross over to the other side of the sea.” There were several other boats with them. As they were crossing the sea, a violent storm arose. Waves were breaking and the boat was beginning to fill with water.

Despite the violence of the storm, Jesus was asleep in the stern. However, his disciples were becoming quite concerned. True, they were excellent fishermen. However the storm was becoming more and more fierce. Jesus, however, remained sound asleep. The storm did not disturb or awaken him. As the disciples’ fear increased, they decided to awaken Jesus. Immediately they voiced their fear, concern, as well as their anger. They asked Jesus: “Don’t you care that we might perish?” Jesus immediately rebuked the wind and sea by uttering three small words: “Quiet! Be still!” And in an instant, the wind stopped and the seas once again were calm.

Jesus then confronts his disciples. He asks them why they were so terrified. Then he asks: “Do you not yet have faith?” I wonder if the disciples sheepishly looked at one another? They had been filled with such great fear during the storm that for a moment, they had lost their faith. Now the disciples were filled with awe with what Jesus had done. Even after all the time they had been with him, they were astonished at his great power. They looked at each other and asked: “Who is this man who even winds and seas obey?”

Now, take a moment and remember the last time you experienced a fierce storm in your life. What were the emotions you experienced during that time? Did you turn to Jesus for help or strength? Did you ask Jesus: “Do you even care that I am perishing?” How did Jesus respond to you? I assume that he did not work a miracle and immediately calm the storm you were experiencing. However, did he fill you with some calm, trust or peace? Did he give you some sign that he was present to you?

When your storm finally calmed down and dissipated, were you grateful for Jesus’ presence and grace with you? Were you filled with awe that Jesus brought you through the storm? Were you thankful that once again there was some peace and calm in your life?

When storms arise in our lives (and they will arise), we need to trust Jesus despite his seeming lack of presence or action. In the midst of the storm we cannot see clearly. We often are buffeted by wave after wave of pain and confusion. Gradually the storm begins to subside and our seas are calm once again. Typically it is only when the storm is over that we can look back and realize that truly Jesus was at our side every moment.

Today thank Jesus for his presence with you. Thank Jesus for helping you survive such a horrific storm. And later on, you even may thank Jesus for the gifts that you may have received through this horrific experience. However, it may take some time for these gifts to manifest clearly to you!

Today may we pray for each other that we will trust Jesus. And may we ask for the patience to wait for our gifts and graces to manifest in our lives. They will come! Trust Him! He will not disappoint us!