REFLECTION FOR TODAY
June 20, 2021
By Fr. Andrew Ibegbulem, OSA
A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already filling up. Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. They woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” He woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Quiet! Be still!” The wind ceased and there was great calm. Mark 4:37-39
Our gospel reference today forms part of the account of the stormy waters of the sea of Galilee encountered by Jesus and his disciples. Jesus’ action of calming the storm is a way of speaking to us about our own lives. The first thing to reflect upon is that Jesus was there in the center of the storm. He was on the boat while the waves came crashing over. The key is that He was there.
That Jesus was with them tells us that whenever we experience a “storm” in our lives, Jesus is there during it. He is not far away, rather, He is right there. But we also notice that He is asleep. This brings to light the humanity of Jesus as well as his trust in His Father’s love and care. Jesus known nothing happens without the Father’s approval or knowledge.
The disciples went to Jesus after trying the best and said “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing.” One thing we can take from this is that Jesus awaits our prayer. He waits for us to turn to Him during the storms of life. That must be our first thought whenever we feel overwhelmed or challenged by life’s circumstances. Notice that the “prayer” of the Apostles is like how we may pray at times. “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”
So often we turn to God saying, “Lord, where are You? Why are You not helping?” But we should know that God is often silent as a way of calling us to Himself so that we turn to Him in trust and confidence. Jesus took their prayer and responded. His response was simply to manifest His authority over the storm.
Jesus rebuked storm and said, “Quiet! Be still!” With that, the storm had no ability to continue, and all was calm. We must know that Jesus did this so that we would have confidence that He can handle any hardship we face. There is no storm too great for Him. There is no situation, no matter how chaotic it may be, that Jesus cannot subdue and make something surprisingly new out of it. Nothing He cannot handle.
Reflect, today, on what frightens you the most each day. What is it that shakes your faith? As Christians, we fall prey easily to anxiety in times of trouble and think God has forgotten about us. This is not true; Jesus has every one of us in his mind; not one detail in our trials escape him. So, turn to Jesus amid that and know He is there ready to bring peace and calm.
Lord, I invite You into my life and into the storms around me. I know You can do all things, so I beg for Your peace and calm in my heart. Help me to always turn to You and to acknowledge your contact presence in my life. Jesus, I trust in You.