Reflection
Why are you afraid? Have you no faith?
Mark 4:37-40
When the ancient Hebrews wanted to stress God’s power and authority, they spoke of God’s mastery over the sea. The Hebrew word for sea carried connotations of evil, of a threatening force opposed to God. Sea in the bible had a meaning that symbolized chaos in the world. The image of Jesus stilling the storm makes the claim that he shares in this power over evil. The early church was often symbolized by a boat. The story tells of a boat caught in a storm terrifying its occupants,When the forces of chaos threaten his followers, Jesus responds to their fear. The words attributed to Jesus, “Why are you afraid? Have you no faith?”, are words of encouragement and strength. This gospel story depicts Jesus responding to his followers who cry out in distress.
Prayer
I looked for the Lord, and He answered me. And He took away all my fears.
Psalm 34:4
Action
In difficult times try to hold on to the words “I can do all things through Christ whostrengthens me” Philippians 4:13
Suggested Reading
A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already filling up. Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. They woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” He woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Quiet! Be still!” The wind ceased and there was great calm.Then he asked them, “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?”
Mark 4:3-40
Today we can ask ourselves: What are the winds that beat against my life? What are the waves that prevent my navigation and endanger my spiritual life, my family life and my mental health, as well? Let us tell all this to Jesus; let us tell him everything. “He wants this; he wants us to grab hold of him to find shelter from the unexpected waves of life.
Pope Francis
Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe.
Saint Augustine
Faith is not something to grasp, it is a state to grow into.
Mahatma Gandhi
If you lose faith, you lose all.
Eleanor Roosevelt
Faith is unseen but felt, faith is strength when we feel we have none, faith is hope when all seems lost.
Catherine Pulsifer
My faith didn’t remove the pain, but it got me through the pain. Trusting God didn’t diminish or vanquish the anguish, but it enabled me to endure it.
Robert Rogers
Do not come into agreement with fear. Activate your faith, live in victory, speak over your life and expect great things to come your way.
Germany Kent
The situations that will stretch your faith most will be those times when life falls apart and God is nowhere to be found. This happened to Job.
Rick Warren