Lord’s Day Reflection: What storms reveal

By Father Marion Nguyen, OSB*

After much teaching and ministry to the people, Jesus desired rest for his disciples and himself: “Let us pass over to the other side” (Mk 4:35). Diet of Auxerre noted how our Lord systematically used these places as refuge: the boat, the mountain and the desert. This well-deserved respite proved short-lived as a powerful storm developed to the point where expert fishermen began to fear for their lives. Jesus seemed perfectly peaceful, sleeping on a cushion in the back.

Storms are natural; they occur in nature and in life. Their timing is not always opportune. Why does God allow this to happen? What do they reveal? Every event in Scripture reveals something about us, God, and the world; this episode is no exception.

Storms remind us that we are not in control; they don't need our permission to start. This is also true when it comes to the opinions and actions of others. No amount of personal stress or drama will change what is beyond our control. When these temptations arise, Jesus carefully reminds us: “Can any of you by worrying add a single hour to his life? » (Mt 6:27).

Natural storms can destroy homes, trees and infrastructure. Storms and stressful times do something similar on us; they strip us of our pretensions and reveal the foundations of our identity, whatever its state. Grief, seasons of despair, loneliness, anger, financial setbacks, health problems and exhaustion quickly reveal the superficiality of things and some relationships. Like the disciples, they can also reveal a weakness in faith that we were never fully aware of in the past. Recognition of weakness is the beginning of strength. Scripture continually reminds us that the proud will be humbled while the humble will be exalted (cf. Is 2:11, Mt 23:12, Lk 1:52) and that God does not despise the contrite heart (Ps 51:17). .

Finally, storms reveal the power and presence of God. Yes, there is destruction, but healing also comes; this is true in nature as well as in our life with God. In this particular episode, Jesus' sleep allowed the disciples a glimpse of the glory that Jesus possessed: “For if he had been awake, they would not have been afraid, nor would they have asked him to saved when the storm arose, or else they would not have been afraid. I would not have thought that he could do such things” (Chrysostom). Seeing the miracle, the disciples were completely impressed by this new revelation of glory: “Who then is he whom even the wind and the sea obey? (Mk 4:41) God is God even when he sleeps. We remember the words of the psalmist: “Your guard will never sleep. No, he neither slumbers nor slumbers, guardian of Israel” (Ps 121:4).

The storms of life will come. These are moments of revelation; and the greatest of them is that God is with us. So take courage and don't be afraid.

* Abbot of Saint-Martin Abbey
Lacey, Washington