#TomorrowIsSunday (EN) | How Can We Overcome a Crisis?

St Peter fresco in Tyberias - credit Sr. Amata CSFN

Gospel for Sunday: Mk 4:35–41

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/062021.cfm

1. The Crisis

This Sunday’s Gospel describes a storm on the Sea of Galilee. The storm symolizes symbol the crisis that each of us is going through. The crisis has two objectivs: to intimidate us, and to deprive us of our trust in God. Interestingly enough, Jesus educates his disciples by means of crises. He does this in order to strengthen these two qualities in them: courage, so that they will not be afraid and their confidence in God.

 

2. Key Words

Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing? – This was no small crisis. The waves on the Sea of Galilee can reach up to 4 m. high. This is because, on one side of this lake, the climate is semi-tropical and hot, and on the other side comes cool air from the nearby mountains. The collision of hot and cold air causes violent and unexpected storms on the Galilee Lake. This is a symbol of human life. The disciples give us an example of what to do during storms in life: they ask Jesus for help.

He woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Quiet!  Be still!” The wind ceased and there was great calm – There is a very significant motto in Christianity: Lex orandi, lex credendi, lex vivendi. This means: the norm of prayer, the norm of faith, and the norm of life. Now, many prayers begin with the words: Almighty God…

He asked them, “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?”

This question is also for us. How much faith do I have in the words I say when I pray?

 

3. Today

Jesus, I trust in you! – this is one of the most important prayers in a time of crisis. And for this, courage is important. Crises are overcome by trust in God and courage.