Readings: Job 38:1,8-11; 2 Cor. 5:14-17; Mk 4:35-41.
The Beautiful
Sleep of Jesus
Today, as we delve into the gospel, we find Jesus and his
disciples on the Lake of Galilee, facing a violent storm. Just as they were, we
too are often gripped by fear in the face of life’s storms. Jesus, in his
reassuring presence, asks us, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no
faith?” (Mk. 4:41). The storm-tossed boat is not just an image of the
Church’s universal sailing through the ages, but also a reflection of our
journey. Jesus, always present with the Church, is deeply concerned for our
well-being even when his care is not immediately perceived.
In the first reading, Job experiences the storm of his life. Job
questioned God about his affliction. God did not give him any justification for
his pains and suffering. Instead, God invited Job to believe that suffering was
within the mysterious design of his universe; he “laid the foundation of
the earth” (Job 38:4). Within God’s design for the world there is a
place for losses, setbacks, storms, brokenness, pains, disappointments, and
disasters. It was in God’s hands to set limits to the seas, to say, “Thus
far shall you come, and no farther, and here shall your proud waves be
stopped.” (Job 38:11). God has control over nature, and everything he
has created, as Jesus possesses the divine power over the forces of nature.
Today, we find ourselves amid a tempest, politically and
emotionally. We are not just experiencing storms, but violent storms and gun
storms, election storms and medical storms, moral storms, spiritual storms,
education storms, and sickness and death storms. We are not just facing a
humanitarian storm and an immigration storm, but we are inundated, shaken,
sharpened, and shaped by these unimaginable storms. Through it all, Jesus seems
unperturbed, sleeping peacefully. Why should he be sleeping while we are in the
midst of such a perilous storm?
A storm rocked the world of John Newton, the captain of a slave
boat, and brought about his conversion. He prayed like the disciples in today’s
gospel. “God, if you will only save us, I promise to be your slave
forever.” Jesus heard his prayer and saved his ship from destruction.
From that storm came conversion, a change of heart, and a new song. “Amazing
grace! How sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but
now am found, was blind, but now I see. I have already come through many dangers,
toils, and snare; Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead
me home.” The psalmist tells us what to do when confronted by a storm: “In
their trouble, they called to the Lord, and he saved them. He calmed the raging
storm, and the waves became quiet.” (Ps. 107: 6, 29).
Regardless of the intensity of your storm, remember that you are
not alone. We will never avoid all the storms that threaten us. But as Napoleon
Hill wisely said, “The strongest oak of the forest is not the one that
is protected from the storm and hidden from the sun. It’s the one that stands
in the open where it is compelled to struggle for its existence against the
winds and the rains and the scorching sun.” Just like David, who was
once in a political and moral tsunami, we can find a way out of our storms
through our unwavering faith in God. A strong prayer life and unshakeable faith
in God will always guide us out of the storm of life. And so, “Be still
and know that I am God!” (Ps.46:11). “Because when the just cry
out, the Lord hears and rescues them from all distress.” (Ps. 34:18).
The storms in our lives should make us strong rather than put us down. It is all in the way we handle them. In the life journey, the question is not “Will storms arise? Rather, “When will the next storm arise?” And even more important than that question is, “What type of person will I be when the next storm arises?” During Christ’s time, the Lake of Galilee was notorious for its storms. And despite its destructive effects, Christ never attempted to abolish them but just stopped them momentarily. In our storm, we must hold on to Jesus. Though he may seem to be sleeping, he is still mighty. If you have faith, you will see that though Christ may be asleep, he is active and always at work for your good. Because “All things work for good for those who love God.” (Rom. 8:28). The storm of life may seem to overpower us, and we may think we are alone in our struggle, but Christ is there seemingly sleeping. In that sleep, there is power. As soon as he is up, the squall will calm down, and there will be peace. But he will question you, “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?”
Rev. Augustine
Etemma Inwang, MSP
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