Scripture Scribbles: June 23, 2024

the Gospel

Mark 4:35-41

On that day, as evening drew on, Jesus said to his disciples:
“Let us cross to the other side.”
Leaving the crowd, they took Jesus with them in the boat just as he was.
And other boats were with him.
A violent squall 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,
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 great awe and said to one another,
“Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?”

the scribble

Several years ago, during Eucharistic adoration, I remember suffering extreme anguish, distraught over the current family crisis. “A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat.” “God, I did and said everything I thought that you wanted me to do and say, and now things are much worse than they were before. Tell me! What exactly do you want me to do now?“ I demanded, frantically complaining and tantrumming, tears streaming down my face.

“Be still and know that I am God,” gently spoke His consoling words to my heart. I was shocked and ashamed by my own boldness. How dare I question the God of the universe, “whom even wind and sea obey?” I sighed deeply and broke into a faint smile as the last tear drop fell. “The wind ceased and there was great calm.” Jesus was very near, awakened by my presence, no longer “asleep on a cushion,” and he had the entire situation under control. No matter what storms we face in life, He will always be there to rebuke the wind and quiet the sea.

“Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?” How does one grow in faith, to trust, and not be so afraid? “The fruit of silence is prayer; the fruit of prayer is faith; the fruit of faith is love; the fruit of love is service; the fruit of service is peace.” St. Mother Teresa.

Jesus, help me to trust in you. Take care of everything.

Today’s devotion was written by Karen Molvar