Why So Afraid?

 

 Mk 4:35-41

Jesus Calms the Storm

³⁵ That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” ³⁶ Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. ³⁷ A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. ³⁸ Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”

³⁹ He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

⁴⁰ He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

⁴¹ They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

It seems we need to be reminded over and over that there is no reason to fear. Jesus dramatically calms the  storm and challenges our lack of faith, for like the disciples even with Jesus in the boat, we let our fears take over and we panic. Storms come often into our lives, the media scares us day in and day out with horrific "news" of corruption, killings, and cowardice. We feel like we are going to perish.  Jesus asks us why we are so afraid, where is our faith?  Let us spend time with him and  answer his telling questions.  Fr. Stephen Koeth, offers this  prayer which might become one of our favorites.

Lord Jesus, as your church—the barque of Peter—sails the sea of time, it is often beset by the storms of division and persecution. In our lives, too, we encounter headwinds and squalls: physical illnesses, wounded relationships, the grief of loss, and the shame of our sins. When we can feel as if the waves breaking over us are too much and are filled with fear, rouse our faith in you whom even wind and sea obey, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen

 Rev. Stephen Koeth, C.S.C.

Br. Rene