You're in a veritable hurricane of difficulty, and all you can see of Jesus is that He's asleep. You want to scream, "Jesus, don't You care?" (see Mk 4:38) However, Jesus "cares for you" (1 Pt 5:7). "Indeed He neither slumbers nor sleeps, [your] guardian" (Ps 121:4). Since Jesus never slumbers on the job of guarding you, His sleeping in the boat of the Church and of your life must carry another meaning. Possibly, Jesus' act of sleeping in the boat is yet another case of Him giving us an example (Jn 13:15).

The disciples, accustomed to the storms of the sea, finally experienced a storm they couldn't handle. Jesus was in the same storm and the same boat, but was asleep! He had perfect peace in the worst storm. What an Example! (1 Pt 2:21) Facing death, Jesus yawns, arises, and stops the chaos (Mk 4:39).

Jesus has shared His eucharistic body (Lk 22:19) and divine nature with us (2 Pt 1:4). Can't you see that He wants to give you His own peace? (Jn 20:19) He expects us to follow His example and trust Him in the worst times. This is evident, because instead of comforting His panicked disciples, He challenges them, exclaiming: "Why are you so terrified? Why are you lacking in faith?" (Mk 4:40)

Jesus states that we, His disciples, will undergo storms and trials (Mt 7:25). "It is a test for you, but it should not catch you off guard" (1 Pt 4:12). When Jesus the Good Shepherd judges it to be the proper time, He will lead you from the stormy waters to the still waters (Ps 23:2; Ps 107:30). Until He does this, trust Him and do not fear (Mk 5:36). Jesus is Lord of all storms.

Rescript:  †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, January 5, 2009

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