Jesus’ Presence

06-20-2021Weekly ReflectionFr. Bing Colasito

The disciples were awestruck after they witnessed what Jesus did. There is power in His words that even the wind and the sea obey Him. They are left pondering the question of the real identity of Jesus. Most of Jesus’ disciples are good Jews. They believe that God alone has power over nature. And yet, they just witnessed a man who seemed to have absolute control over the forces of nature. And the ease that Jesus commanded the winds: Quiet! Be still! How is it that He acted as if with divine power? At this point, they had no idea that God has come among men.

Today, modern man has detached God in the sphere of the forces of nature. There is no connection between God and the movements of the winds and the sea. It simply follows the law of Physics and the natural processes. The concept of divine power in control of the forces of nature escapes the mindset of modern man, who dismissed it as irrational. If God exists, He is not doing anything at all. Thus, men are left to deal with the weather, all the ups and downs of life to the best of their abilities, and knowledge of it. There is no higher power involved: we are independent and selfsufficient; we are ultimately our own God.

Many times, in the Bible, the sea symbolizes a place where evil forces are present that only God can control. By taming the wind and the sea, Jesus reveals Himself to have the power of God. Why are you afraid? The words and actions of Jesus teach the disciples something about faith: faith conquers fear; faith in Jesus can give us peace and tranquility.

Many Christians are afraid because they are asleep in their faith and tossed about by stormy desires and the many temptations of the devil. Your faith is asleep means you have forgotten your faith. To wake Christ means to awaken your faith, to recall what you believe. Remember your faith: wake Christ within you. Your faith will immediately still the frightening winds and waves of those who tempt you to do evil. (St. Augustine, Sermones, 361, 7)

In the Gospel, Jesus challenges His disciples when He asked them: Let us cross over to the farther shores. Here, He tests them to go out of their comfort zones, to leave familiar shores, and to engage in mission. Duc in Altum to put out into the deep. (Lk5:4) It is interesting to notice how Jesus waited for the disciples to come to Him and did not calm the wind and the sea immediately. The disciples experienced fear, came to Him and woke Him, and asked for His help. One lesson Jesus wants to impart to us here: true love does not spoil but challenges the beloved. True love does not dictate, but respects, waits, and believes in the goodness and capacity of the beloved.

Today is Father’s Day. In the Gospel, Jesus showed the disciples and us that one mark of true love is that of being present, especially when storms of life arise. This reminds me of the words of wisdom of our Pastoral Director in the Seminary: The best Apostolate is the ministry of presence. Because Jesus was present, He was able to calm their fears and wash away their tears. Ps. 46:10 Be still and know that I am God. In times of storms in life, Jesus is saying, “Be still,” when our hearts are weeping; and our spirits are breaking. God loves us as a loving Father. May we all be loving and be present to one another. And may we always say to God the Father: Thank You, Father, for being present with us always, and in all ways.