Readings: 2 Sam. 12:1-7.10-17; Ps.51; Mark 4:35-41
Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.
WHY ARE YOU AFRAID? PEACE! BE STILL!! SAYS THE LORD
In the scriptures, we often hear stories of how people struggle with heavy storms as they are assailed by the sea. Today, our fishermen and the mariners who are involved in the sea business can tell us better what it means to be on the sea during heavy storms. A situation where the need for a Saviour is highly anticipated. Such was the case with the disciples of Jesus in our Gospel passage today. It is a story about the disciples' panic and fear of perishing as a result of the heavy storm that is affecting their boat.
As this heavy storm was about to break their boat, the disciples could not believe that Jesus was asleep while they were afraid and needed help from anywhere. So they went to him and woke him saying, ‘Teacher, do you not care if we perish? And Jesus said: “Peace! Be still!!” And the Storm ceased and there was a great calm. And he said to them, ‘Why are you afraid, how is it that you have no faith. The men were astounded and said, ‘What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the sea obey him.’
This story signifies God's chosen people on a transit of faith, frightened by the guilt of sin and wounded by the waves of the sea, the abode of evil forces and monsters of this world. The boat can be taken as a symbol of the faith of the Church and the people of God struggling with the world’s principalities and powers, while the storms are symbols of heavy persecutions and sufferings by the people of God. And Jesus is saying: why are you so afraid, you men of little faith.
Dear friends, there is no doubt that there is an active presence of evil in the world, which manifests itself in different forms. So everyday is a struggle against the malice of the evil ones, and people are doing everything they can to overcome them. Today, Jesus is inviting us into his boat of life, thereby calling us to journey on this boat with an unwavering faith and a repentant heart, because the world is being tossed around by the waves of the evil forces, the enemies of humanity. And it is only God who can subdue it, for he has promised to restore us back to himself.
This is exactly what we heard about David in our first reading today, for after David had committed grave sins against Uriah and God, the prophet Nathan confronted him about this ugly situation. David felt very remorseful about his actions and asked God for mercy. And this the Lord granted him and promised to restore him and calmed down the storms of destruction in his household.
This is what we see in the life of St. John Bosco whose memorial we celebrate today for despite the challenges and oppositions he faced in life, he remained committed to his work as a priest and made great impacts in the lives the youths of his time and even in our time for through many people who sharing in his spirituality, founded the Order of the Salesians of Don Bosco, one of the great religious orders in our society today.
Therefore, I don't know the great storms of doubt and fear in your soul? I don’t know if you are under the power of the evil forces of this world. All I know is that with great faith in God, the heavy storms in our lives will become calm. So, why are you afraid? Peace! Be Still!! Says the Lord. Why not present your challenges of life to Jesus, for he will surely rebuke the violent storms in our hearts so that we can experience once again the calmness of his peace and joy.
LET US PRAY: Lord God. As we struggle every day to overcome the ugly situation around us, grant that the violent storms and waves of sin and bondage in our lives, our families and the world, will end in a wonderful calm that brings peace in our souls. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Wishing you a fruitful and joyful weekend.
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