Tempest Tossed, But Not Lost
Proper 7B
Mark 4:35-41
6/21/09
Lorraine Ljunggren

        Night is falling as a small group of well-worn wooden fishing boats leave behind the shore and the crowds of people to sail across the Sea of Galilee. The sturdy little vessels are built to hold as many as fifteen people and the nets customarily used in this area for fishing. The seasoned fisher-folk and local people know “…windstorms suddenly explode on the Sea of Galilee.” (Edward F. Markquart, Synthesis) And this night is no exception.

        After working himself to the point of exhaustion, Jesus can only fall asleep in the stern as they set sail. Even the fury of the storm does not rouse him from his well-deserved rest. But, as is always the case, the cry for help of human voices touches that deep place in Jesus' soul – the place wherein dwells God's love for all God has created – the place in which resides Jesus' vocation, his calling as healer, reconciler, teacher, savior.

        Sitting up, Jesus rebukes the wind in the same way he rebukes the unclean spirits, “Peace! Be still!” The wind ceases and the waves lie down, and calm surrounds them. Looking around at the faces which only moments before were panic-stricken, Jesus asks “Peace. Be still. Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?”

        In light of what has just taken place, it is no wonder they say to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” (Mk. 4:41)

        This is one of my favorite passages from Mark's Gospel. Perhaps because I've been caught out on the ocean in a sudden squall, with waves so big everyone is drenched from the spray, and you have to hold on for dear life to some part of the boat lest you lose your balance and fall. Perhaps it's because I identify with the disciples whose fear overshadows their faith as well as their confidence in their God-given abilities to withstand the storms of life. Perhaps this is one of my favorite passages because I've been tempest tossed before in life and have literally cried out to Jesus for help.

        Now, in hindsight, I can, like most of you, see the ways in which Jesus helped me through whatever the crisis happened to be. In the midst of trials, though, it seems more difficult to trust that things will all work out, if not for the very best, at least they will work out.

        But, that is the test, isn't it? To be able to trust while in the midst of trials. Once things are calm, we breathe easier and sometimes forget there will be a next time – a new challenge, another test.

        If there is one certainty in life, that certainty is change. Storms come and go and, with God's help, we not only weather them, we learn from them, we benefit from them. We learn to trust in God's unfailing love for us. We learn to trust in the strength we receive from one another by being a community of faith. We learn that crying out to Jesus does help because the Spirit of the Living Christ is with us every day whatever our circumstances happen to be. We learn that God gives each of us resources that are both material and spiritual – resources on which we can draw whichever way the wind blows and however high the seas may be.

        This story of Jesus stilling the storm is an icon for us through which we can find hope in the midst of trials, strength for the journey at hand, and love – particularly the love of God we meet face-to-face in Jesus of Nazareth.

        “Peace. Be still. Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith? Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” (ibid.) This is the One Who Is With Us Always – who assures us that even when we are tempest tossed, we will not be lost. Amen.

        (This homily will be followed by an address by the Wardens.)
        

©2009 Lorraine Ljunggren