Mark 4:35-41 NRSVue

³⁵On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” ³⁶And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. ³⁷A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. ³⁸But 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?” ³⁹And waking up, he rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Be silent! Be still!” Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. ⁴⁰He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” ⁴¹And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

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Some thoughts on this scripture

Reflection
Even in the presence of Jesus, with the memory of his words fresh in their minds, the disciples doubted. Like them, I bring my doubts and questions to Jesus and listen for his answer.

Reflection
Jesus was asleep, trusting his friends to manage the boat. What confidence Jesus has in me, encouraging me to act and speak in his name!

Reflection
Lord, I know no better proof of your health and strength than this scene. You had the gift of sleeping in any situation. You slept on the cushion in the stern while the waves were beating and almost swamping the boat. And when you awoke, your brought calm. To voyage with you is to voyage in peace even in a storm.

Reflection
They were asking a question which they would ask again, ‘Who is this man?' Being obeyed by wind and sea is a statement about being more than human. Our involvement with Jesus and our engagement with him in our lives will often bring that question to the fore. In prayer we grow in heart-knowledge of Jesus, not always being able to put words on our faith in him. Like the apostles, we know that he is a mystery - at once Son of God and son of the earth.

Reflection
In the trials and troubles of life, Jesus often seems to be asleep, heedless of my plight. In prayer, I will call out to him and, no doubt, I will hear his voice saying, "Peace! Be still! Why are you afraid? Have you no faith?"

Reflection
God does not solve our problems but gives us the grace and the strength we need to resolve them.