July 02, Tuesday; When Jesus sleeps, the storm roars up - Wilson SVD

July 02, Tuesday; When Jesus sleeps, the storm roars up - Wilson SVD

July – 02 – Tuesday

Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Amos 3: 1-8, 4: 11-12; Matthew 8: 23-27

Historical Context: The evangelist Matthew wrote his gospel for the newly converted Jews. The newly converted Jews faced many storms in their faith journey. In the face of such a desperate and anguished situation, Matthew, through today’s gospel, communicates hope to the communities and admonishes them not to be afraid.

Sea of Galilee: The event happens in the Sea of Galilee, in fact, in the Lake of Galilee. It is a lake 13 miles long and about 8 miles wide. The Sea of Galilee is unique because of its 150-foot depth and about 680-foot below the sea level. It is surrounded by mountains. Because of its circumference, turbulent storms take place during the daytime.

People in the boat: Jesus and his disciples travelled by boat. It might have been a fishing boat. Many of Jesus's disciples were fishermen, and they grew up around this Sea of Galilee. Hence, it is a known place, known waters, and might have had similar experiences before; it is familiar ground. Yet, the disciples are shattered, but Jesus is undisturbed.

Sleep signifies absence: Jesus was sleeping on the boat. He is sleeping in the midst of a storm. The Greek word καθεύδω – katheudo means not just sleeping, but it signifies death and the absence of life. Biblically, sleeping points to death and the absence of life. The Lord was absent in the boat. There is nothing to fear when Jesus is in the boat with us. We can sail through any kind of storm if Jesus is in the boat. The presence of God is a sign of success.

Storm Strikes: The disciples must have been halfway through their journey when the storm struck. These were experienced fishermen, and they were terrified. They could not handle the situation. In a state of panic, they cried to Jesus, ‘Save us, we are going down.’ This was a cry of fear and desperation. They might have been angry as they were drowning, and their master was sleeping.

Jesus stands with us in storms: Jesus got up and rebuked the storm. The Greek word used is ἐγείρω - egeiro. This word means to raise up, to stand up. So, Jesus stood up with the disciples in the boat and calmed the storm. In storms, Jesus stands with us even before calming the storm. Jesus calms the storms in our hearts prior to calming the external storms.

Crisis of faith: The storm strikes. I sense that these experienced fishermen relied on their knowledge of the sea and battled for a while. They could not handle the situation. My talents and knowledge are like an umbrella that provides 100% protection from the rain when it is not raining. My abilities, talents, knowledge, power, and money are sources of internal storms.

Who is this man? He is the one who is calm amidst the storms. The disciples have not understood the person of Jesus. If he is with us, we can remain calm in the storm.

Our Take Away

1. When the Lord is asleep in my life, the storm roars up. The absence of God ensures storms.

2. Jesus stands with us even before calming the storms. No reason to be afraid.

3. Where is my faith? In God or in myself?

Wilson SVD

Divine Word Missionary