On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

Mark 4:35-41

I have been working on this Sunday’s gospel reading, Jesus Stills the Storm. Interesting in the context of mission and the original audience of Mark’s gospel. There are forces that try to stop us – I say “try” because Jesus is the ultimate force.

While working on tomorrow night’s study I found this quote from Augustine of Hippo (via Pope Benedict’s “Jesus of Nazareth”):

“When you are insulted, that is the wind. When you are angry, that is the waves. So when the winds blow and the waves surge, the boat is in danger, your heart is in jeopardy, your heart is tossed to and fro. On being insulted, you long to retaliate. But revenge brings another kind of misfortune – shipwreck. Why? Because Christ is asleep in you. What do I mean? I mean you have forgotten Christ. Rouse him, then; remember Christ, let Christ awake within you, give heed to him.… ‘Who is this, that even the winds and sea obey him?’

Healy, Mary. The Gospel of Mark (Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture), 97.

Allow Jesus to still the storm within because He has all authority. That is a message for me. Revenge is a shipwreck. I need to move on with Jesus. Jesus in me! Silence and solitude to find Jesus again. Please, Lord!!!!