Mark 4: 35-41
In today’s Gospel passage, we read about Jesus calming the storm. When we look at the Gospel passage in the context of Mark’s Gospel, the section of parables ends and here begins the section of miracles (signs or wonders).
There are three types of miracles (healing miracles, exorcism miracles and miracles over nature). This extraordinary miracle and mighty act indicates that Jesus had power over nature.
Moreover, this passage can also be taken as a parable. Jesus sleeps here. This is the only place where it is mentioned Jesus slept, another place, Jesus rested for a while. In this case, Jesus sleeps with a pillow. Natutulog si Hesus na may u’nan. ‘Sleep’ refers to ‘death’ or ‘absence’. After Jesus’ death or ascension, Mark’s community faces many problems. Their boat ride was not pleasant. They felt the absence of God. Through this incident, Mark encourages his community. Sino sa inyo ang nakasakay sa bangka? Jesus still cares for us even when he has left us (and has fallen asleep). We can face any adversity in His presence (and absence).
A) Continue to travel, not to stop: At the beginning of the Gospel passage, sinabi ni Jesus sa mga alagad, “Tumawid tayo sa ibayo.” “Let us go across to the other side.” Jesus invites the disciples to be always in movement. With care, he leads them there. When we become frozen by life’s events, Jesus invites us to “go across to the other side.” We must get up often and go to the other side. Keep moving forward, successful people do not have time to worry,
The first reading gives an example of not worrying, but putting faith in God, the best model is Abraham. Isaac is questioning the father, “The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together. Let us continue to travel, God will provide on his part, he will not abandon us, Keep moving forward, successful people do not have time to worry,
b. In their fear, the disciples cry out: ‘Teacher, we are about to die!’ what should we do? the young man in the Gospel was asking different in Mark 10:17, ‘Lord, we are going to live! What should I do?’ both are life but different levels, There is no place for death in God’s presence. PUSJ members, Lord help us to prepare for death, Mark says that there was a great storm and brings before us two situations: one, the peaceful situation. In that situation, Jesus is sleeping with a pillow in the boat. The second is the opposite, fear situation. The disciples are terrified and frightened. “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” They see Jesus as just a teacher (Rabbi). Here we see the concern of Jesus. First, he makes the storm calm. Then he gives hope to his disciples. First, he removes their painful situation.
Jesus gets up and rebukes the sea. ‘Peace, be still!” is the formula for exorcism rebuke. Jesus calms the sea with the same words. Because, for the Jewish people, the sea was considered a place of demons. Jesus continues to rebuke his disciples: ‘Why are you afraid? Do you still not believe?’ Jesus rebukes them for their lack of faith. That is, they refused to believe that they could not die when Jesus was with them. This is their lack of trust. These questions were not asked just by looking at the disciples. Each of us who reads this text is asked. You and I must answer these two questions individually. The answer to the question, “Who sleeps in a boat and rebukes the wind?” depends on the answer we give.
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