Read Online
As Jesus got into a boat, his disciples followed him. Suddenly a
violent storm came up on the sea, so that the boat was being
swamped by waves; but he was asleep. Matthew 8:23–24
This experience had quite an impression upon the disciples, which
is evidenced by the fact that it is recorded in all three Synoptic
Gospels. We also see this in the concluding words of the story
after Jesus calmed the storm: “The men were amazed and said, ‘What
sort of man is this, whom even the winds and the sea obey?’”
Traditionally, this story has been interpreted as both an image of
the Church as a whole, as well as the individual soul. The boat is
an image of the Church through which we Christians navigate the
perils of this life. We must remain in the Church to survive. Each
person within the boat represents each one of us who is a member of
the Church. The violent storm is an image of the many personal
struggles we endure in life, as well as the persecutions that
the Church has endured and will continue to endure until the end of
time.
As the storm took hold of the boat, Jesus was asleep. But He was
asleep for a reason. As we look at human history, especially the
history of the Church, we find many times when God has seemed
absent or “asleep” when turmoil, persecution, and hardship have
arisen. Many people, if not all, have had the same experience at
one time or another in life. As the disciples experience this
storm, they offer us an ideal way to pray when we are tempted to
despair in life. They wake Jesus and say, “Lord, save us! We
are perishing!” And though Jesus rebukes them for their lack of
faith and their fear, He also responds to their pleas and calms the
storm.
What should the disciples have done in this case? Should they have
trusted and allowed Jesus to remain asleep? Though our Lord did
rebuke them for lacking faith, this story is primarily a revelation
about God’s mercy when we are tempted to fear. God knows that at
times we will all feel overwhelmed and find ourselves tempted in
this way. He knows our faith is not perfect, and so He allowed His
disciples to set this example for us. Thus, whenever we do find
ourselves overwhelmed and fearful in life, we should cry out to Him
to save us. He wants us to turn to Him.
Reflect, today, upon this prayer of the disciples. If you find that
you are facing some personal crisis, or a larger family difficulty
that remains unresolved, or are increasingly aware of other
struggles afflicting the Church or society as a whole, then try to
imitate this prayer of the disciples: “Lord, save us! We are
perishing!” Though these words, at first, may seem to be words of
despair, they are actually words of hope and trust. They point us
to Him Who is the only source of the peace we seek in our souls,
families, the Church and our world. Look for the many ways that you
and others experience the feeling of “perishing,” and cry out with
all your heart to our Lord to save you and all who are in
need.
Most powerful Lord, I am amazed at Your divine power and ability
to perfectly calm the storms that afflict Your people. Please fill
me with hope and humility so that I will never hesitate to turn to
You in my need and to also cry out to You for Your continuous
intervention in the lives of others. Awake, oh Lord, and save Your
people, for we will truly perish without You! Jesus, I trust in
You.
Source of content: catholic-daily-reflections.com
Copyright 2024 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved.
Used with permission via RSS feed.
Image: Jesus Calms the Storm – Fresco by Silvestro Pistolesi
in the clerestory of the Church of the Transfiguration at the
Community of Jesus, via Wikimedia Commons
Kommentare (0)
Melde dich an, um einen Kommentar zu schreiben.