Journeying to Grace

It wouldn’t get much safer than having Jesus on a boat with you, right? That’s what we would probably think, but in this Sunday’s Gospel (Mk 4:35-41), the disciples become very scared when the ‘violent squall’ is suddenly and unexpectedly upon them. Their boat trip with Jesus to the ‘other side’ likely began simply and innocently enough, and then it changed without warning. Just like many of the squalls, storms, and disruptions in our lives.

Usually, the storms we encounter are unexpected. We are going about our day, and then we get a call or a message or something that changes the moment. Jesus asks the disciples (and us), “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?” (Mk 4:40) Some of the storms we face are temporary, and some are life changing. They arrive as illness or as loss and so many times, as heartache. They can affect our well-being, our relationships, and sometimes our faith. And in our despair, some of them do terrify and weaken us, especially when we feel helpless and when the storm is not in our control. What can we do? Well, we, like the disciples, need to go to the stern of the boat and seek Jesus.

We already know we are invited to do that—seek the Savior’s refuge and comfort in times of stress and need—but so often the storm in front of us seems too big and overwhelming. We fear the outcome, so it can diminish our hope. But it is ours to remember that we are not alone in the boat. We are always and forever in the company of Christ, so we needn’t be terrified. That doesn’t mean we won’t worry or have concerns, but as we see in this reading, the Lord will respond in His time and in time. As He did for the disciples when the wind and sea surrendered to His command, “Quiet! Be still!” (Mk 4:39)

In this passage, I am very drawn to the idea of the changing movement of the water itself. It was flowing normally, then the waves grew stronger and were ‘breaking over the boat.’ Finally through the Lord, there was ‘great calm’ once again. When it is most difficult and turbulent, may we in faith go to the stern of our boat, seek Jesus, and await His protecting and healing calm.