This Sunday’s readings bring us face to face with the challenges and storms of life and remind us of the immense power and presence of God amidst these trials. The Gospel recounts the dramatic episode of Jesus calming the storm, showing his divine authority over nature and a profound lesson about faith and trust in God.
As Jesus and his disciples travel across the Sea of Galilee, suddenly, a furious storm arises, threatening to capsize the boat. Despite being seasoned fishermen, who are likely accustomed to the tumultuous weather on the sea, they are terrified. And there is Jesus asleep at the front of the boat, completely untroubled by the chaos around him.
All too often, we react like the disciples in our own lives. How often do we encounter sudden storms — health problems, financial difficulty or spiritual concerns — that fill us with fear and anxiety? At times such as these, like the disciples, we may feel abandoned by the Lord and cry out, “Jesus, do you not care that we are perishing?” This question reveals our vulnerability and our desperate need for God’s assistance.
Jesus doesn’t do anything extraordinary. He wakes up, rebukes the storm and commands that all be still and at peace. Immediately all becomes calm. Jesus reveals not only his power and authority but who he really is. That he is the Son of God and has power over all of creation. His command shows his divine authority and his love for the disciples. Jesus doesn’t stop with calming the storm. He turns to his disciples, and he questions their faith in him. Why were you so afraid, did you not know that I would care for you always? A great reminder to us all that if we really do have faith in Jesus, we must trust in him, even when he may seem far away, or maybe asleep.
When we find ourselves tossed about by the storms of life and of the world, Jesus invites us to embrace a life of faith that goes beyond simply believing in him. He calls us to place our trust in his presence and undying love; to recognize that he is with us always, in every storm, to care for us and to bring his peace into chaos. When we open ourselves up to God’s grace and place our faith in him, we come to know and experience that peace that comes from Jesus, that is unlike any other.
Today is a great opportunity to reflect on the storms in our lives and to ask ourselves how we have reacted in them. Have I placed my trust in Jesus? Do I have faith that he will be there to calm the storms and bring peace to the chaos? May we continue, each day, to turn to the Lord, begging him to fill our lives with his peace and grace. When the storms come, and they surely will, we will know that Jesus is with us always and that he will take care of every one of our needs.
Father Zipp is pastor of St. Mary of the Lake in Plymouth.
Sunday, June 23
Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time
