RBWords

     "Nature" miracles get our attention.  We're conditioned by that old commercial that says, "It's not nice to mess with Mother Nature!"  When Jesus walks on water during one of those stormy occasions, that gesture becomes the quintessential "proof" of his divine power!  In today's gospel incident, Jesus "rebukes" the wind and the sea and calm returns.  But he also rebukes the disciples for their lack of faith!  One might note that the winds and sea are more obedient than the disciples!

     The Lord who has created the universe can command the winds and the seas.  However, that same Lord has left the matter of faith in the hands of frail human persons.  The fact that Jesus was asleep in that tossing boat speaks to his confidence that winds and waves will not ultimately triumph over him.  Of course, the disciples are just beginning to learn about this, so perhaps we (who are all too much like them) shouldn't be too hard on them.  The real subject of this story is not Jesus' command of the forces of nature, but the faith of the disciples.  Their question is our question:  What sort of man is this, whom even the winds and the sea obey?   AMEN