Word to the Wise
Sunday, January 30, 2011 - Saturday in the Third Week in Ordinary Time
[Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-19 and Mark 4:35-41]Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen...[Hebrews]<br /> "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" "Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?" [Mark]
Not only is Jesus calm during the stormy boat ride, he's asleep on a cushion at the back of the boat! As the saying goes, "Put yourself in the same boat!" You're trying to hold on and bail at the same time and the guy who's in charge (back where the rudder is located) is asleep! You wake him up, he calms the storm, and then says, "Why were you afraid?" One wonders if he went back to sleep on the cushion while everyone else sits with soggy clothes and bailing buckets in hand and jaws in the bottom of the boat! At least they ask the question of the moment which is the question for all Christians at all times: "Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?"
The words from the Letter to the Hebrews begin a long series of testimonials to the faith of many famous Old Testament figures from Abraham to Moses to even Rahab the prostitute! Hebrews points out that these folks did not need a constant demonstration that God is faithful. They just plowed ahead toward the future through thick and thin (I might add that they did occasionally argue with God about it!). Even though Moses never reached the promised land, he didn't lose faith in God's promise.
One might retort, "That's all well and good. But when you're up to your rear end in alligators, it's hard to remember the initial objective was to drain the swamp!" Jesus tells his exasperated disciples that they are confused about the initial objective! It is not to get to the other side of the lake! It is to believe in him! Do they believe that he can handle the alligators? (Or, in this case, the wind and waves!) Awake or asleep, Jesus is in charge of the boat! Keep paddling and bailing, however! AMEN
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