He's got this

Encountering the various storms in our lives, the predictable ones for which we can make wise preparation and the sudden vicious ones which go beyond our control, we can profitably reflect on the gospel for this week (Mark 4:35-51). Much has been read into the underlying meanings of the Stilling of the Storm: travel to gentile lands on the other side of the sea, and the cowardice, faithlessness and loss of hope of the apostles.

We might reflect too on the confidence Jesus reposes in his “A team” to deal with the storm and how they allowed their faith in his presence to drain away, leading to fear and panic. Unexpected and upending crises can come upon us in our lives and we can react as those fishermen disciples did – blind, unthinking panic – or as Jesus urges them (and us) to act, with faith

Covid 19 might be likened to the storm in this gospel. Like the disciples we are surprised, disoriented and filled with dread. We are “fragile and disoriented, but at the same time important and needed, all of us called to row together, each of us in need of comforting the other.” (Pope Francis, Christ in the Storm (Ave Maria Press, 2020))

Jesus is sleeping, trusting me to look after things. What confidence he has in me! Am I going to be worthy of his confidence or am I going to give way to faithless panic as the disciples did in that storm?

We are vulnerable. Old certainties, schedules, projects, habits, priorities and ways of living have been upended in the Covid storm. How should we respond to the challenge? Our storm has revealed what is really important: family, community, relationships with our neighbours. We are called to respond courageously, patiently, resiliently, generously, and with enduring faith that Jesus has things in hand.

Deacon Mark Kelly