TWELFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Even If the Waves Rise

Today the Lord wants to talk to us about faith. Not about an undeveloped faith capable only of sailing on easy waters, but about a deeper and more mature faith.

The Evangelist Mark curiously tells us in today’s Gospel (Mk 4: 35-41) that there were boats other than Peter’s with Jesus that day. But it seems that is not the important thing, the important thing is to be in the boat with Jesus. Then in describing the storm and the waves breaking against the boat, Peter's boat seems to be in the middle and most violent part of the storm. The storm – which can be seen as the Enemy – is threatening their faith. Those forces opposed to Christ’s message will always try to sink the boat, but let us not fear, because Jesus promised us that he would always be with us until the end of the ages (Mt 28:20), and that the gates of hell will not prevail against the Church (Mt 16:18). 

The apostles, scared to death, woke Jesus and said to him, Master, don't you care if we perish? They knew that Jesus could save them, but as their boat was being tossed about their faith was weakened – or very human. So desperate were they that they woke him up, not realizing that by being in Jesus' boat, nothing could happen to them. In the same way, our Lord can transform our human faith into a more supernatural faith. As Pope Benedict prayed in 2005, “Lord, your Church often seems like a boat about to sink, a boat taking in water on every side. But you will get up. You have rejoined us; you arose and you can also raise us up. Save and sanctify your Church. Save and sanctify us all.” 

After the calm came, the apostles were filled with fear and said to themselves, Who then is this that even the wind and the sea obey? And this is the most difficult part from my point of view, recognizing who Jesus really is. Yes, Jesus is our brother and friend, yes, Jesus is our teacher. But it is much more than that: he is God himself, who with just his word the winds and the sea obey. 

Lord, may we know how to recognize your power in our lives and see that every day we are before Your Divine Majesty and Omnipotence. Jesus, increase our faith, an unbreakable faith, that, although the waves rise against us, our hearts always remain in you. May our faith increase our love; and our love toward you increase our faith. Amen.

–Alejandra Marenco

Send Us Forth are reflections written by St. Matthew parishioners and friends.