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Gospel Reading for June 23, 2024 – Mark 4: 35-41
SLEEP SOUNDLY
On that day, as evening drew on, Jesus said to his disciples: “Let us cross to the other side.” Leaving the crowd, they took Jesus with them in the boat just as he was. And other boats were with him. A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already filling up. Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. They woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” He woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Quiet! Be still!” The wind ceased and there was great calm. Then he asked them, “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?” They were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?”
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“Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?” No one else but Jesus, the Son of God!
The disciples were so terrified of the violent squall, waves breaking over the boat which was filling up. Who would not be terrified? But, they did right to wake up Jesus even if it was to complain because he was asleep while they were perishing. His questions: “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?” are addressed to us too. If we truly have faith in him, and believe that he cares for us, we need not be terrified when squalls, however violent, happen to us in life. If we TRULY BELIEVE, we are very sure he can command strong winds and sea to cease. We are very sure he will help us, and even in the midst of storms, we will still be able to SLEEP SOUNDLY.
Let us ponder on this popular song, WITH CHRIST IN MY VESSEL –
With Christ in my vessel I can smile at the storm,
smile at the storm, smile at the storm.
With Christ in my vessel I can smile at the storm
as we go sailing home.
Sailing, sailing home, sailing, sailing home;
With Christ in my vessel I can smile at the storm
as we go sailing home.
