For the Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time…
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.
Mark 4:37-39
I cannot help being impressed, even awed as the disciples were, at the mighty words of Jesus as he calms the storm. Having been on 21st-century boats in squalls, it’s easy for me to imagine the lethal risks storms brought to fishing boats in Jesus’ day.
For me, these words of Jesus also express how dynamic the call to prayer can be. Each day, no matter the waves of distraction or distress, we can ask Jesus to calm us and bring us to himself. It’s a call to know the power of God better.
After this episode in Sunday’s Gospel, in the calm, Jesus chides the disciples, “Do you not yet have faith?”
Beginning each day with prayer is a good place to start knowing Jesus better—and the power he wields. Jesus desires us to have a living faith… unshaken in storms and abiding in joy when the sun is out.
Jesus, anchor of my soul, may I always be inspired to “be still” in your presence, every day.
