Saving Presence

Today’s Gospel Text:  And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. 24 And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. 25 And they went and woke him, saying, "Save, Lord; we are perishing." 26 And he said to them, "Why are you afraid, O men of little faith?" Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. 27 And the men marveled, saying, "What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?" Matt 8:23-27

Reflection: What was happening there in the boat? Can be a question that can still be asked in our time as: What is happening?

What a confusion it must have been there:

Jesus was in the midst of his own dedicated disciples and the boat was dangerously swamped by the waves.

In the midst of all these things Jesus is fast asleep while on the other hand the dedicated disciples must have been petrified with what was taking place.

They could have knelt down and prayed to the heavens and called on the Lord God almighty; for did they not learn it from Jesus the necessity of prayer and trust in God.

But they knew that the Lord  was already in their midst and it is only he, the savior, who could save them.

And if he the savior could save them then what was wrong in their prayer to him: "Save, Lord; we are perishing." (vs. 25b)

Then, why were they rebuked by the Lord for such a prayer to him who alone could save them from the lurking danger?

The problem was not so much in the correctness of the prayer but the faith behind the prayer.

The panic shown by the disciples was a clear indicator and it did not communicate faith in the Lord.

When Jesus is in our midst, and that is what he has assured us, then why are we afraid and panic and trust not his saving action.  Do we have to look at the waves and waver or do we have to look at the Lord and be silent?

In such situations God may appear sleeping but he is still in charge of his beloved and is in every way concerned about their survival, even unto eternity and much more than we are about ourselves.

Prayer: O God of my salvation, I believe in your saving power, help me never to lose trust in.

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us