Do you believe in Jesus? If so, why are you Terrified?

In today’s passage the following is asked by the disciples. Who then is this who even the wind and sea obeys?

This is a obvious, but complicated question the Apostles ask during this passage of the Gospel. In the old testament, one reads how water is connected to God. Water was one of the ways of speaking about God. Water at one time was a way to convey Divine power. In the homily, water is contrast between Old Testament days and today to explain the imagery behind the passage in the Gospel. It is only the Lord that can speak, and master the sea by His words.

The Disciples Took Jesus, … Just As He Was

After setting a context for the passage within the homily, the question is reviewed again. St Mark adds a curious detail in the Gospel. The disciples took Jesus in the boat just as He was. Well, what does that mean? It is common to say Jesus will take us just as we are, but what does the reverse mean?

When we say Jesus will accept us just as we are, we are often communicating something different. We are actually giving us permission to NOT change. Rather, we should think differently. If Jesus comes and receives us just as we are, it does not mean that He leaves us just as we are in life. He has something more and better envisioned for each of us! Listen to the homily as it describes this in further detail.

The Disciples Take Jesus As He Is!

So, going back to the curious line. The disciples take Jesus. They do not yet understand Jesus, but they take Him as He is! They do not assign Him a place in the boat, but they take Him. The disciples do not determine how they will do things.

As Jesus entered the boat, He was tired. Jesus took His rest, and fell asleep. The water rises and the waves come into the boat. Jesus remains asleep. The boat and crisis the disciples found themselves made them feel they were not in control. Everything they do seems to slip through their grasp. They are overwhelmed. I am sure each of us feel the same way at times!

The disciples go to Jesus and wake Him. Jesus, how can you sleep through this time? Are you unconcerned about us? The homily relates these statements to us when we face difficult times as well.

Do We Believe In Jesus?

This is the point the Lord is teaching us all. There is always a point of rest. It doesn’t manner how violent the seas are within this world. The Lord is untroubled. The Lord’s heart is always at rest. The storm destroys the peace experienced by the disciples. However, the Lord is always at peace. The Lord’s Peace is what He always wishes to share with us.

Who is this? Who can command the unruly water? The disciple see the Divine Power of Jesus. There is a lesson for us in this passage. One could ask, couldn’t Jesus have prevented the storm in the first place? If he could stop it at the worse time, couldn’t He have just stopped it from starting? Is that a question we often ask ourselves when we face our own storms?

Our world today is full of storms like this. We have been disconnected by the world the Lord originally planned for us. The Lord asks us a question. He does not ask why we did not reach out to Him sooner as one experiences their storm. Rather, He asks if we believe the Lord is with us? If so, why are you terrified?

The essence of faith is believing in Jesus. Listen to this Homily. Hear what the Lord wants for us! Hear the implications of this passage for us. Listen to this Meditation for the Week media.