It is certain that Jesus and the disciples crossed that lake many times. It is probable that Mark, while remembering a crossing with Jesus in which their boat was caught in the storm, is also telling us about the life of the Church which is sailing over the turbulent sea of the hostile world.
The boat, which carries the disciples and Jesus, is the Church. In the history of the Church, there have been numerous moments of tempests that traumatised the life of the Church. The same is true of our community, our family where we have gone through its ups and downs. In all those cases, it is easy to see the image of the boat, shak- en by winds and waves. There is no way out. There is no port nearby.
In all these cases, it is important to remember that we are not alone. Jesus is there with us in the boat. He seems to be asleep and doesn’t want to know about our problems. In fact, he addresses us the same words that he addressed to the disciples that night on the lake. “Why are they so cowardly? Do you still not have faith?”
Jesus is going to spare us of all the waves and tempests of life. The problems are there and will remain. They are part of the human condition. There will be moments of doubt, of hesitation. There are decisions we must make that we will never be absolutely sure are the right ones. The heart of the matter is to have the faith that beyond the darkness of the waves, there is a port that we will reach. Jesus is on board with us and that he will not let go of our hand. Be it in terms of the
Church, our community, our family or my personal life, the accompaniment of the Lord is assured. Even though sometimes we don’t feel his presence, at times it seems to us that he is sleeping, yet our faith reminds that we are not left alone and he is there.
As a result of this experience, Paul clearly states in the second reading that he no longer values anyone by human criteria and that the old has passed and the new has begun. This is how we Chris- tians are. In spite of the waves and the darkness of the night, we are sure that we have all been born in Christ to a new life.
The new has begun. And we live the day of our life renewed in Christ, with the joy and happi-ness that comes from knowing that Jesus is with us.
For your reflection
Do you remember a time when you felt that the boat of your life, of your family was really about to sink? Did you turn to Jesus with confidence? What shall be done to experience his constant presence near us?
Father Fernando Torres CMF
www.ciudadredonda.org
Translated by
Father Alberto Rossa CMF
