Gospel Mark 4:35-41
35 On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, ‘Let us go across to the other side.’ 36 And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. 37 A great gale arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. 38 But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, ‘Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?’ 39 He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Peace! Be still!’ Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. 40 He said to them, ‘Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?’ 41 And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, ‘Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?’
Afraid, You still have no faith?
The fourth Chapter in St. Mark's gospel ends with a precise description of the daily schedule of Jesus and His disciples. After a long day, when evening came, Jesus and the disciples dismissed the crowd. Jesus looked very tired as verse 36 hints, "They took him just as he was," which explains why he was sleeping on a cushion in the back of the boat. Those who know how fishing boats are built may appreciate how precise St. Mark's description is!
Most of the disciples had a lot of experience with fishing challenges, and the eventual, exceptional storms that hit the Sea of Galilee. This time the storm was much stronger than usual and they were seized by fear.
They’re sailing after the teaching about the mustard seed. They have heard the teacher saying as reported by Matthew 17:20, “If you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you." Out of fear, they approach Jesus and ask for His help, but with a blend of trust and doubt. Verse 38b says "Teacher, don't you care that we are perishing?" Jesus reacted immediately. He rebuked the waves and the wind saying, "Peace! Be still!" Then the waves, the wind and the disciples were still. Then Jesus, after rebuking the storm, rebuked the disciples for their lack of faith and trust. In His always gentle way, He asked them not an ordinary question, but the substantial question depicting their interior feelings, "Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?".....even not as big as a little mustard seed? Even though you have the skills and the experience to face sea challenges and get out of difficult storms, you still have no trust to activate your faith? Doubts and fear jeopardize or even overpower your faith!?
Many times in our life we are tempted to think that the Lord is not caring for us, and even forsaking us. When we allow worries, doubts, fear, loneliness, feeling useless or idle to inhabit our hearts and minds, we become like a boat in peril of sinking because it is taking on water. When fear of the present or of the future seizes our thoughts, it leads us to act out of mistrust and doubt. We can even turn our backs on those who love us most, forgetting that the Teacher is present and active. If only we would turn our face to Him and reconsider how very dear we are to Him, remembering all the skills He has bestowed upon us. As His disciples, He would ask us, "Why are you afraid, you still have no faith?" It is never too late to wake up and turn our face, heart and mind to ask for His involvement in our lives.
Didn't we experience doubts and fear throughout the Covid-19 year? Did we initiate new decisions in our life built upon fear of the present and the future? If so, is it time to remember His Presence, our faith and our trust? Is it a good time to hear Him asking us, “Why are you afraid and where is your Faith?"
Considering His presence in our daily life and all He grants us, shall we shout out loudly and joyfully, "Who is He that even the winds and the sea obey Him?" Let us pray with hope that calm will be restored in our hearts and minds, in our society, and further in our world of today!
Blessed are the fathers who taught us to be responsible children of God and helped us to grow in knowledge, wisdom and stature.
Happy Father's day!
Don't be afraid, He is present.
Fr. Kamal June 20,2021