June 21, 2015: Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time

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?” (Mark 4:35-41)

Reflection:

Jesus had had a hard day. He was busy teaching and healing all day. When he got to the boat he crashed, Jesus fell sound asleep in the back of the boat. He wasn’t a fisherman or sailor so he let the apostles row and handle the sails.

Imagine you are there in the boat. At first it seems like the worst that could happen is that everyone would get thoroughly soaked. But the wind picks up and Peter and John are pulling the oars with all their might. They yell to the others, “take down the sail.” Jesus is forgotten.

Suddenly they realize the boat is going down. Someone remembers Jesus. They yell at him, “Don’t you care that we are about to drown.”

Pay attention to your feelings now that you’re in the boat. Are you like the apostles, scared? or do you know what’s coming next?

Jesus gets up sees the state they are in and speaks one command: “QUIET!” The wind stops; the rain stops. It is quiet! The sea is calm.

WOW!

Action:

Imagine the worst storm you’ve ever been in stopping at one word of command. Talk to Jesus about how you feel in the face of his authority and what your needs are.