The Gospel of Mark 4: 35-41
When evening had come, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”
Let us Pray: Mighty God, when the waves of life threaten to overwhelm us forgive us if we blame you or others for our troubles. Teach us to find you in the storms of life and give us the faith those early disciples lacked to always believe that you will bring calm and peace.
Storms in our lives today seem to be prevalent, we have been facing lots of storms the last year. Storms that have brought sadness and despair to a lot of people. This has been a time when we have turned to our Lord to help quiet the storm. The Lord understands our fears, but he will ask us, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” How do we answer that question? The storms of life can be stressful, most of us can handle one crisis at a time without a problem. During painful and difficult times, it is natural to question Jesus. Yet, we need Jesus especially during the confusing and frightening times in our life. Do we cry out to him as the disciples did or do, we remain silent? Jesus wants us to cry out to him and Jesus will respond to our need, our pain and our fear. Jesus will strengthen us and walk with us each and every day. This story of the storm is trying to tell us something about our faith. When in the throes of chaos, we tend to look back at the sleeping Jesus and assume that he does not care. But, we need to take a second look. Maybe, we should stop ask ourselves, why is he so peaceful? What is it that he knows that I do not know? If our faith considered the peaceful Jesus, we would see him rise up, stretch out his arms and speak into the screaming wind, “Peace be still,” and we would see the storm waters fall to a silent rest. As we think of the hidden storms in our hearts our faith tells us that He will not leave our side. One day, the sun will shine again and the storm within will be calmed.
Let us Pray: Gracious God, help us to know that the one who calmed the waves on the Sea of Galilee is present with us day by day and that he cares for us and can calm the waves of our lives. Help us to trust more fully and more deeply in you in all that we are involved with in the days to come. This we pray in the Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Father’s Day Prayer: We honor our fathers for putting our needs above their own convenience and comfort; for teaching us to show courage and determination in the face of adversity; for challenging us to move beyond self-limiting boundaries; for modeling the qualities that would turn us into responsible, principled, caring adults. We also pray that our fathers who have passed into the next life have been welcomed into Your loving embrace, and that our family will one be day be reunited in your heavenly kingdom.We pray in the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.
Reflections by Bob 