Reading
Mark 4:35-41
35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”
39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.
40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”
Meditation
Jesus and the disciples embark to reach the other shore of the lake of Galilee, inhabited mainly by pagans. The great waves caused by the strong wind - as often happens in this lake - rise suddenly and violently.
Jesus is exhausted from the day of preaching and healing that has just passed and goes to sleep on the boat. His attitude does not indicate a lack of care for his disciples; he intends to use the storm to teach them.
In the Old Testament, only God has the power to dominate the forces of nature and men can save themselves by invoking him. Jesus, Son of God, testifies that he has this power.
The fear of the storm gives way to the awe of the disciples: they have never seen a man command the natural elements. Jesus' action reveals his divine nature.
The episode of the sedated storm evokes the saving presence of Christ in the Christian community, in the midst of the persecutions that threaten it. The church is like a fragile boat lashed by the waves of an often hostile world, and its own helmsmen struggle to steer it; but we are certain that Jesus' heart is awake, even when he seems to be sleeping (Ct 5:2). Faced with our appeal, he will not remain indifferent, but when he awakens he will silence enemies and rebels (Ps 8:3), restore peace and guide us to a safe harbor.
Prayer
Silence, Lord, the powers that oppose your church; so that guided by you we can reach the blessed destination that awaits those who believe in you. Amen.
- Rev. Dr. Luca Vona
