Three of today’s four readings use the image of a stormy sea to represent the hardships that are part of every human life. In the first reading, God is responding to Job’s question as to why he was made to suffer. The Lord responds that only He has designed the world and the seas and only He is in ultimate control including the waves of Job’s suffering. In the Psalm, we hear how the Lord calmed the sea and rescued the sailors from the storm and wind, which tossed the waves “on high.” The sailors rejoiced and gave prayers of thanks to the Lord. Then in Mark’s Gospel, Jesus calls out to direct the raging sea and blowing winds to quiet and be still. The sea obeys and the disciples in their small fishing boat were filled with “awe.” They ask themselves “Who then is this Who even wind and sea obey?” We can all relate to these readings. We, too, have experienced the terror these sailors and disciples felt when dangerous storms arise in our own lives. Some feel large enough to sink our boat and even drown us.
Worse, we never know when the next storm will be approaching or how fierce it may be. It could be the loss of employment, the betrayal of a loved one, a diagnosis of a serious illness or the death of a loved one. Despite the uncertainty of when the next storm will rock us, Jesus has reassured us that He will never abandon us to struggle alone. Jesus asked the apostles as He asks us still today, “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?” Perhaps, like the disciples, we have “some” faith…but maybe it is smaller than the grain of a mustard seed. In today’s Gospel, we are challenged to believe that only the Son of God can tame the rough seas of life. Only God can strengthen us to withstand the battering of waves as part of His mysterious but always loving plan for us. None of us are promised smooth sailing or perpetually calm seas. Jesus Himself suffered and died but still conquered death in His resurrection. We will all have suffering in our lives, but we must have the faith to trust that He will always be in the boat with us.