Jesus in Our Midst

06-23-2024Weekly ReflectionFr. Bing Colasito

The disciples were awed and struck 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? They did not know He is the Emmanuel; God is with us.

Sad to say, but modern man has removed God from the sphere of the forces of nature. We seldom think about God in the movement of the wind or the everchanging sea current. It is easier to say it follows the natural law of air and the sea. 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 weather disturbances purely on scientific knowledge. No higher power is involved: we are independent and selfsufficient and are ultimately our own God.

In Sacred Scriptures, 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 have great fear because of a dormant or weak faith, tossed about by stormy desires and the many temptations of the devil. Your faith is asleep which 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, Sermons, 361, 7)

Jesus challenges His disciples in the Gospel to cross the lake to the farther shores. He wants them to go out of their comfort zones, or to leave familiar shores, and to engage in mission. Duc in Altum - to put out into the deep (Lk 5:4). It is interesting to notice how Jesus waited for the disciples to come to Him before He calmed the wind and the sea. Their fear moved them to go and wake Him up and ask His help. Jesus wants them to learn that true love does not spoil but challenges the beloved. True love does not dictate but respects and waits. True love believes in the goodness and capacity of the beloved.

Another mark of true love is being present, especially when storms of life arise. A Pastoral Director in the seminary always reminds us, seminarians, that the best Apostolate is the ministry of presence. Because Jesus was present, He calmed their fears and washed away their tears. Ps. 46:10 Be still and know that I am God. In the storms of life, Jesus says, “Be still,” when our hearts are weeping and our spirits are breaking. God loves us as a loving Father. May we all learn to LOVE and be PRESENT to one another. And may we always pray: Thank You, Father, for being present with us always and in all ways.