Gospel Reading: 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 him 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?”
EVEN WIND AND SEA OBEY
A big contrast occurs before and after Jesus commands the sea to be still. Before his command, a violent squall arises and waves are breaking over the boat so that the boat is already being swamped. The disciples are greatly terrified so they awaken Jesus who is soundly asleep on a cushion. After Jesus’ command to the wind and sea, a great calm follows. This raises the question on Jesus’ identity: who is he that even wind and sea obey him? The disciples marvel at Jesus’ power. In ancient Near East, the sea symbolizes the powers of chaos and evil that struggle against God. The great calm indicates the effectiveness of Jesus’ power in controlling these forces. He manifests his control over the powers of evil. At this point, the disciples do not yet recognize the divinity of Jesus. Faith in Jesus is put to the test in times of trial and tribulation.
“Who [indeed] is the victor over the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” (1 Jn 5:5).
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SOURCE: “365 Days with the Lord,” ST PAULS, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 895-9701; Fax 895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.