Listen

On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “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?”

Mark 4:35-41

Think

Peace! Be still! Jesus spoke to the restless wind and sea, and they were calmed. Jesus spoke to the fearful disciples, and they were comforted.

Sometimes it feels like we are in the midst of the sea, swamped, blown about, and feeling like we are about to die. When we are in those times, it can feel like God is asleep.

When our hearts are open, we know that we can take our cares and concerns to Jesus, and stand in awe at the calm he brings, both to the storms around us and to the storms within us. We might ask Jesus why he doesn’t care. In return Jesus asks, “Why are you afraid?” Even the wind and sea obey him!

We too obey Jesus when we welcome his calming presence into our lives, and as we are led by him in all of our thoughts, words, and actions in every situation.

Jeff Light

Pray

Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit, Christ when I stand.

Prayer of St. Patrick

Go

Will your heart be open
To hear what God will say?
Will your eyes be clear
So you can follow in God's way?
God is speaking.
Listen now.
The way is clear.
Follow.