Word to the Wise
Saturday, January 31, 2026 - Saturday in the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time
[2 Sam 12:1-7a, 10-17 and Mark 4:35-41]A violent storm 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 and 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?" They were filled with awe and said to one another, "Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?" [Mark]
JANUARY 31 ST. JOHN BOSCO, SDB
A friend of mine once showed me a small plaque on his wall that had the following words on it: Sometimes the Lord calms the storm; and sometimes the Lord lets the storm rage and calms his child!" This storm miracle begins a section of miracle stories in the Gospel According to Mark. Jesus' power is on full display when he shows himself master of natural forces, but the disciples can only ask, "Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?"
When we are confronted with dire circumstances and bailing as fast as we can to keep from sinking, it is tempting to believe that God is asleep and doesn't care. The challenge, in these circumstances is to do both things: bail and pray! I am reminded of the saying, attributed both to St. Augustine and St. Ignatius of Loyola: "Work as if everything depends on you; pray as if everything depends on God." I frequently challenge penitents and spiritual directees to understand that they have to do their part and not expect God to do all the work to conquer addictions or other destructive behavior. "Rescue" can come in many forms and sometimes very unexpected forms. We don't have to "wake up God," but we may have to "wake up" ourselves! AMEN