Daily Reflections
(Memorial) St Thomas Aquinas • Mark 4:35-41
Violent weather can be frightening. It demands respect. We glimpse the sheer power and force of nature and fear its indiscriminate ravaging. Such weather often descends on the Sea of Galilee. Sudden turbulent squalls can appear with no warning, threatening to sink vessels with ease. A fertile imagination is not required to envisage the horror and desperation of the disciples as they realized their plight. Jesus, apparently oblivious, dozed peacefully – on a cushion! The contrast is amusing. The tragedy and the trauma of sudden death paralysed the disciples – we can easily imagine the kind of thoughts gripping their minds and hearts. We can understand why in their panic they woke Jesus to ask him: ‘Teacher, do you not care if we perish?’ (v. 38). Their desperation gave rise to a profound question!
Jesus’ reaction to their request is stunning and awe-inspiring. He rebuked the wind and calmed the sea. He then rebuked unbelief and calmed distraught minds. Sudden and violent squalls of anxiety, depression, and dark and negative thoughts can impinge on our lives. We can experience being swamped by so many issues, details and concerns. It can seem as if we too are going to drown! All of us are prone to allowing destructive influences to capsize and undermine our faith. Like the disciples we can feel God is indifferent and does not care.
In fact, nothing could be further from the truth. This lie can be rebuked in the same way Jesus rebuked the wind and calmed the sea. God’s care and love for us are unlimited. Our faith in God’s love can remove the corrosive influence of fear, doubt and anxiety. The disciples asked: ‘Who then is this, that even wind and sea obey him?’ (v. 41). The light of faith moves us to recognize that Jesus is the Lord. He is the author of life and the key to human existence. He is always present whatever our predicament, and will calm our troubled minds, soothe our anxious hearts and guide us safely to his Father’s house.
‘Jesus Christ, the love that gives love, you are higher than the highest star; you are deeper than the deepest sea; you cherish us as your own family; you embrace us as your own spouse; you rule over us as your own subjects; you welcome us as your dearest friend. Let all the world worship you.’ (Hildegard of Bingen)
2 Samuel 12:1-7, 10-17 • Psalm 50(51):12-17
Mark 4:35-41
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