«One day, at sunset, Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Let’s go to the other side of the lake’. Then the disciples dismissed the people and led Jesus in the same boat that he was in. Other boats were also going. Suddenly a strong wind was unleashed and the waves crashed against the boat and filled it with water. Jesus slept in the stern, reclining on a cushion. They woke him up and said, “Master, don’t you mind if we sink?” He woke up, rebuked the wind and said to the sea: “Shut up, be silent!” Then the wind stopped and there was a great calm. Jesus said to them, “Why were you so afraid? Don’t you have faith yet? ” Everyone was shocked and said to each other: ‘Who is this, whom even the wind and the sea obey?’ (Mark 4,35-40).
Father Elcías Trujillo Núñez
The Word of the Lord this Sunday tells us about some expert fishermen and sailors, who suddenly face a very strong hurricane. They are afraid, they are desperate, they feel lost. Meanwhile Jesus sleeps, exhausted from the apostolic activities of the day. He sleeps soundly because he knows he is protected from the Father. The apostles are afraid of sinking. And they see as the only and last hope to awaken Jesus to save them.
And the Lord, once again, manifests all his power, dominating nature as well. Let us ask ourselves, what is the message of this Gospel? It is revealed by the final word of Jesus to the apostles: “Why are you so cowardly? Still have no faith? ” Perhaps this reproach from the Lord surprises us a bit. Because the apostles had faith in Him. That is why they turned to Him in danger. But his request was a suspicious request, full of concern and doubt. True faith is total trust in Christ, who in all dangers brings help and salvation. Jesus is salvation even when he sleeps and seems not to care. From the moment He is in the boat, they have nothing to fear. Because they cannot perish in the company of Jesus: they cannot go with Him in the same boat and sink. He can, He saves them.
The Word of this day that message brings me when I experience the storm caused by suffering, pain, pandemic, violence, corruption, lies, injustice, economic and emotional crisis, the estrangement of our Church, etc. The boat is an ancient symbol of the church. And this boat passed, throughout the centuries, through many storms that alternated with times of calm and tranquility. And we know that these storms are not going to end until the end of time. Something similar can also be said of peoples, families, people, of each one of us. The boat of our life goes through many storms. It is unavoidable. It belongs to human existence. Consider, for example, the storms of: Family life: material problems, difficulties in marriage, in raising children. Professional life: lack of work, unemployment, injustices. Religious life: crisis and doubts of faith, disappointments with priests, estrangement from the Church and from God. Personal life: physical or mental limitations, illnesses, pandemic, temptations, enmities, blows such as the death of a loved one. In these storms of life, Christians must distinguish ourselves from others. We know that we are not alone in our boat of life. We know that Jesus is with us – even when he seems to be sleeping and not caring about us.
Faith tells us that He does not sleep, but watches over us. Because He is committed in love to us. God remains in our life. And above all it is present in everything and in a special way in the midst of storms. Hence, our faith consists in believing Him, trusting Him. May He make us grow in our faith and give us heroic confidence in the midst of the storms of our life.
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