january 29, 2005

Fear Mk 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?"

Faith is sleeping in the boat with Jesus throughout the storm.
Hope is realization of things not seen but faith also means acceptance
of what is seen as storm that God has the power to still the waters.
At times it seems as if "my boat" is filling up with water from
the storms, I need to remember to pray, trust
and do the acts that are obedient to God's will.
Fear does not seem to help in most situations. It is interesting that in the beginning of the reading, Jesus said "let us cross to the other side." Many people in our modern language use this expression to mean leaving this world for heaven. Being prepared to meet God face to face is part of the life journey.