By Fr. Brobbey
The gospel reading from Mark 4:35-41 is part of a very long discourse of different passages (Mark 4:35-5:43) expressing four dimensions of human existence. The first account, which is our reading for today, presents Jesus’ authority over nature. The second one presents Jesus’ authority over demons, Mark 5:1-20. The third one is the woman with hemorrhage, which demonstrates his power of all ailments, Mark 5:25-34. The last one is the raising of Jairus’ daughter, demonstrating his power over death, Mark 5:21-24, 35-43. In today’s gospel reading, we reflect on the calming of the storm.
The disciples are terrified! They had seen Jesus perform a miracle while he was awake, and they had never seen Jesus perform a miracle while sleeping. In this text, Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. When you see Jesus laying on a cushion, he is not asleep but thinking about you as we read in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know well the plans I have in mind for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare, not for woe! Plans to give you a future full of hope.” Indeed, the psalmist declares, “he neither sleeps nor slumbers.” Psalm 121:3b
They woke him up and said, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing? Jesus rebuked the wind saying, “Quiet! Be still!” The wind ceased and there was great calm. The nave of the boat is likened to the nave of the church. It doesn’t matter how fierce and violent the storm is; with Jesus in our midst, we are more than conquerors. He has power over nature, all ailments, demons and the ultimate enemy of humanity, death. Keep faith and trust in Jesus even if he lays on a cushion.