had been sitting in, and other boats set out with him. Then a storm gathered and it began to
blow a gale. The waves spilled over into the boat, so that it was soon filled with water. Jesus was
in the stern, sleeping on a cushion.

They woke him up, and said, “Master, don’t you care if we drown?” And rising up, Jesus rebuked
the wind, and ordered the sea, “Quiet now! Be still!” The wind dropped, and there was a great calm.
Then Jesus said to them, “Why are you so frightened? Do you still have no faith?” But they were
terrified, and they said to one another, “Who can this be? Even the wind and the sea obey him!”

Reflect

I n March 2020, in the depths of the global pandemic, Pope Francis stood alone in a rainy
saint Peter’s Square, blessing the city and the world with Jesus present in the Blessed
Sacrament. Preaching to the world, he chose the Gospel story we hear today. His intent was to
remind the faithful and all people of good will that, no matter how strong the storms of life might
seem, God is always present in the storm. Though he may seem to be sleeping, Jesus can calm
the storm and restore order.

When difficulties strike – family arguments, job loss, health problems – it can be hard to put our
trust in God. We think that we have to handle everything on our own, that success or failure
rests on our shoulders. But Jesus reminds us that he is present, in his sacraments and in his
Church, to offer aid, comfort, and peace. We are never alone.

© Copyright Bible Diary 2023