The Gospel today places the disciples in a precarious situation: they are in the middle of a Storm . It is late at night, they are exhausted...
The Gospel today places the disciples in a precarious situation: they are in the middle of a Storm. It is late at night, they are exhausted, and the wind is against them. They are straining at the oars. This image resonates with many of us. We often feel like we are rowing against the wind—working hard but getting nowhere, battered by financial waves, relationship troubles, or health scares. The storm represents the chaos of life that threatens to overwhelm our little boats. It is in this very struggle, when our own strength is failing, that the scene changes.
Enter the Savior. Jesus comes walking on the sea. In the Old Testament, only God can tread upon the waves (Job 9:8). By doing this, Jesus is revealing His divinity. He intends to pass by them—a biblical phrase meaning a Theophany, a revelation of God's presence. But they are terrified; they think He is a ghost. St. John writes in the first reading, "Perfect love drives out fear." Jesus speaks the words that anchor our souls: "Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid." The Savior does not always prevent the storm from happening, but He always comes to us within it. He is not a distant observer; He is a present rescuer.
When Jesus steps into the boat, the result is Stillness. The wind died down. There is a profound difference between the calm of the ocean and the stillness of the soul. You can be in a quiet room but have a storm raging in your mind. Conversely, you can be in the middle of a crisis and possess a deep, inner stillness because Jesus is in the boat with you. Peace is not the absence of trouble; peace is the presence of Christ.
Challenge: If you are rowing against the wind today, stop straining for a moment. Invite Jesus into your boat. Pray, "Lord, the waves are too high for me, but You are here. I trust in You."
No comments