“Then were they glad because of the calm, and he brought them to the harbor they were bound for.” Many people post photos of rainbows. Some from persons of faith, others captured by those, who only enjoyed the wonder and amazement, the beauty and the signs of calm associated with the colorful bow in the sky. With oppressive heat, tempestuous weather, and turbulent news stories in June, we can all benefit from moments of G_d’s promise of Peace.

St. Matthew reminds us that the rain is sent to fall on both “the righteous and the unrighteous” and so the Creator shares his beauty with both groups. Fortunately G_d’s Peace passes all understanding. It is good that G_d is in charge instead of us, for we might want to hoard parts of creation for ourselves, away from those who might not agree with our way of thinking and living. Creation is His dominion to share, His dominion to command.

First-century Jews did not much like the dangerous nature of the sea. It was mostly a realm left to their neighbors to the north. Their chosen sea was actually a large freshwater lake. The Sea of Galilee, or Lake of Gennesaret, can also be a dangerous environment. Storms can suddenly come off the Mediterranean Sea, or over the Golan Heights, and turn the lake angry and violent. St. Mark tells us that Jesus was teaching on the shores of Galilee. More and more people pressed close to hear the words of the Messiah. So many pushed forward, that Jesus and the twelve got into a boat and anchored just off the shoreline, where the Teacher could continue sharing his parables.

When evening came Jesus asked to be taken across the lake. Exhausted from his teaching that day, Jesus goes to sleep on the cushion in the stern of the boat. The lake is about eight miles wide and while crossing, one of the sudden storms begins to toss the small fishing boat, terrifying the disciples. As fishermen, disciples Peter, James, and John were likely used to the changes and chances when being on the water. One might have expected Peter, James, and John to calm their friends, to assure them that the ship was lake-worthy, and that these type of storms soon passed. There is nothing to suggest that these three did so, but if they did try to comfort their brothers, it did not work. As the boat began to take on water, the twelve stirred the sleeping Messiah pleading, “Teacher, do you not care if we perish?” Without a yawn or a waking stretch, Jesus commands the wind and the sea, “Peace! Be still!” Nature immediately obeyed the Creator. Jesus turns to his disciples and asks, “Why are you afraid? Have you no faith?”

Definitely their wonder and amazement grew that night. They had seen Jesus turn a little food into a bounty to feed masses, had seen his command over the demons plaguing the people, and now had seen the forces of nature respond to the power of G_d. They now knew that G_d was in charge. We know that this was not the last time that anxiety would overcome the disciples, but they, and we too, can always approach the One for His Comfort and Peace, despite our shaky faith or fears. While G_d may appear to be in the back of the boat sleeping through the storms which we encounter, take heart for He is in the boat with us.

Pax
jbt