The Calming of the Storm at Sea

Today's Reflections

                               

 

     

The Calming of the Storm at Sea

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Mt 8:23-27

²³[Jesus] got into a boat and his disciples followed him. ²⁴Suddenly a violent storm came up on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by waves; but he was asleep. ²⁵They came and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” ²⁶He said to them, “Why are you terrified, O you of little faith?” Then he got up, rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was great calm. ²⁷The men were amazed and said, “What sort of man is this, whom even the winds and the sea obey?”

Reflection:

The boat was being swamped by waves. The boat here is an image of the Church. Sometimes the Church is beset by storms and tossed by waves—problems, sins, scandals, and crises. And it seems that the Church will sink while the Lord does not seem to notice or care.

But Jesus is always with his Church. Even when he seems asleep, he cares for the Church and will not allow it to perish. We should continue to trust in Jesus even when things seem to be at their worst for the Church, for the one who is with us in the boat of the Church is not simply a man but the Son of God himself.

However, it is not right to be unconcerned. We should do what we can to keep the Church afloat and moving. What Jesus does not want is fear stemming out of lack of trust. He desires our concern and our efforts.

Picture yourself in a turmoil. Hear Jesus tell you,

“Why are you terrified, O you of little faith?”