Create a clean heart in me, O God. — Psalm 51:12

Mass Readings: 2 Samuel 12:1-7,10-17 / Mark 4:35-41

Stillness Amid Storms

The disciples had witnessed the amazing works of Jesus and listened to Him speak with great authority. But in today’s Gospel, winds and waves seem to speak more powerfully than their Master’s words. Faith is tossed overboard, as they allow a passing storm to cloud their experience of both the love and power of Christ.

We all experience storms — sickness, financial crisis, difficult relationships, and so on. We pray for God to still these storms but our greatest need is the calming of the storm within our hearts. True faith is trusting that God is both caring and in control regardless of whether and when the storm dies down. True faith trusts even while it still rages. And surely, isn’t to endure a storm with our faith intact a greater wonder than to simply have the storm stilled?

Prayer: In stormy times, Lord, help me to be still and know that You are God.