Gospel – Mark 4:35-41
On that day, as evening drew on, Jesus said to his disciples:
“Let us cross to the other side.”
Leaving the crowd, they took Jesus with them in the boat just as he was.
And other boats were with him.
A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat,
so that it was already filling up.
Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion.
They woke him and said to him,
“Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”
He woke up,
rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Quiet! Be still!”
The wind ceased and there was great calm.
Then he asked them, “Why are you terrified?
Do you not yet have faith?”
They were filled with great awe and said to one another,
“Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?”
Reflection on the Gospel
Let us remember that we are in the holy presence of God.
This is one of the most dramatic scenes in the gospels. Even the gospel of Mark, which is the first and simplest gospel, tells it in an awe-inspiring fashion. I’ve seen it portrayed in a movie only once and yet it stays in my mind.
I have said to Jesus more than once, “Don’t you care that – ?” It is only after having done it so many times that I am able to hear his response, “Be still,” and feel the calm that results. Even the wind and sea obey him. Shouldn’t I?
Saint John Baptist de La Salle – Pray for us.
Live, Jesus, in our hearts – Forever.