Job 38:1.8-11; Psalms 107; 2 Corinthians 5:14-17; Mark 4:35-41
Why are you afraid?
Dear friends, today is the 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time year B. In today’s lesson, Jesus is taking us through different aspects of the kingdom of God through his teachings and signs. There is a story told about a Christian man who invited Jesus to accompany him on a journey. So, they left together early in the morning him driving and Jesus at the co-driver’s seat. After a few miles, at a lonely junction, the man saw one of his best friends waiting for a bus and stopped to give him a lift. He told Jesus to jump to the back seat so that he and his friend whom he had not seen for a while could have a conversation. Jesus obliged and did as he was told. After a few more miles they reached a small town and there he saw four of his football club members waiting for the bus and stopped to give him the lift. He told Jesus that he wanted to talk to his friends about their oncoming game and if he didn’t mind, he could enter into the boot. Jesus obliged and did as he was told. Then they reached another town at the start of a very long steep hill. They decided to buy some foodstuff and drinks because ahead there were no more towns, they were entering a national park. So, he went back to the boot and asked Jesus if he could be left at that town and that he would pick him on his way back. The friends of the man laughed at Jesus, but he obliged and did as he was told. Then they started going down the long steep hill. Just in the middle of the hill, the man realized that the car brakes had failed and told his friends. Everyone started calling “Jesus”, “Jesus”, and “Jesus please save us” but no answer came. They had left Jesus on top of the hill.
Where is Jesus in your life? At the co-driver’s seat? On the back seat? In the boot? Or did you leave him on top of the hill? Are you and your friends who have replaced Jesus going downhill at this moment? Are you afraid of anything at this moment in your life? Many things bring fear in our lives for instance, Someone who is waiting for a very important surgery may be very afraid. A person who is about to get married may be afraid of whether the marriage will work. Someone who has made a big mistake in his or her workplace may be afraid of losing the job. Someone who is very sick may be afraid of death. Someone who lives on lies may be afraid of being discovered. I guess all of us have experienced moments of fear and anxiety in our lives. Fear can cripple us and make us unable to focus on our day-to-day responsibilities. Fear can drive us mad or make us run helter-skelter looking for help. Fear is the favourite weapon of the devil. Once you instill fear in someone or a group of people, you can control them and lead them to do anything. The merchants of miracles in our streets and makeshift worship centers have discovered this weapon too. Do not be duped.
In today’s Gospel reading, we see how the disciples of Jesus became so frightened of the storm that was about to sink their boat. The sea is our life and all the things that make us afraid can be compared to a storm. However, what disappoints Jesus is that his disciples are so afraid of sinking while they have him on board, even after all the signs and wonders he has done in their sight. He is amazed that they still did not believe a word he had told them earlier nor had they recognized who he was.
As Christians, we believe that God is Emmanuel (God with us) and if that is the case then we need not be afraid of anything as long as we keep his commandments. If we have Jesus on board, many storms may hit our boat from all sides, but it will remain afloat. Maybe you are at a crossroads in your life, if you have Jesus aboard keep on sailing. You may have lost your job, had trouble in your marriage, was not happy in your mission as a religious person, being persecuted by neighbours or colleagues at your workplace, if you have Jesus on board keep on sailing my friend.
St. Paul tells us today “the love of Christ impels us on”. You may feel as if everyone is against you as you pursue your vocation, this could be a test of your resolve to achieve your goals. Do not give in to storms even if they come from your own people. Let the love of Christ impel you always because when you have Jesus on board the storms will not sink your boat.
Many of us do not like to be challenged or opposed. We want everyone to agree with us on everything. The only way we can measure our resilience is by bypassing difficult tests in life and surviving many tests. If we like things simple, we may never grow strong. Jesus made his disciples go through multiple tests and in the Gospel of Mark; they are presented as hardheaded fellows who were very slow to understand him. But they remained with Jesus to the end.
Dear friends, let us today reflect on the things that make us afraid, and find a way of bringing Jesus back on board to help us sail through the storms in our lives.
Have a blessed Sunday.
Fr. Lawrence Muthee, SVD
SVD JAMBO KENTAN 