Let us begin by recognizing that, in navigating the sea of this life, we need the same divine protection to free ourselves from the consequences of the storms that overtake us.
Jesus, having made the multiplication of the loaves, hastened his disciples to get on the ship and go before Him to Bethsaida, from the other side of Galilee.
Mark 4: 35-41
While Jesus was praying over the mountain, they were crossing the sea. 'When it was already late, he saw them "weary in flight, because the wind was contrary to them," and when he walked on the sea he wanted to precede them. The disciples believed that he was a ghost, they were disturbed and cried out. The Lord, then, spoke to them saying: "Enlighten, I am, do not be afraid" and getting on the ship "the wind calmed".
This incident impressed the disciples, because, according to the same evangelist, "they were greatly out of their minds and amazed." It was not for less: in the difficult moment of danger they had the opportunity to appreciate the divine protection that Jesus gave them, guarding them from all evil.
Let us begin by recognizing that, in navigating the sea of this life, we need the same divine protection to free ourselves from the consequences of the storms that overtake us.
The purpose of the apostles was to cross the lake and reach Bethsaida, but it was impossible
because the wind was against them. Ace! The man, imagining the man who wants to reach the good port of happiness and eternal salvation, has to experience the bitter truth that very many times "the wind is contrary": that the thrust of the wind of adversity, of doubt , of temptation or pain, it is superior to its strengths and, therefore, it needs protection.
Men's arms, trained and powerful fishermen as Peter, Andrew, John and James boosted the nacelle, and yet, at the critical moment, Jesus saw fatigued bogando.
In their muscles, in their experience as men of the sea and even in their numbers, they had a protection, but it was an insufficient protection. Their forces gave way and fatigued they were at the mercy of the waves. In our life we will find help in everything that God has given us but, woe to him who, rejecting the Lord, wants to trust only in his own strength, be it physical, moral or intellectual, to get rid of the evils of this live! He will get something, yes, and this will be 'spending his energies against enemies as invincible as the elements for the apostles on that occasion. It will only subtract him, then, succumb in the depths of pain.
Here is this thought expressed by the prophet Jeremiah: "Thus saith the LORD: cursed is the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm and his heart turn away from the LORD: for it shall be as the broom of the wilderness, and he shall not see when good comes: but he will dwell in the wastelands of the wilderness, in an uninhabited and uninhabited land. "
Penury and anguish is the fate of the one who only trusts in his strength or that of other mortals, but, on the other hand, how different is that of the one who welcomes the Almighty to receive protection from him! Of this the same prophet says: "Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, because he will be like a tree planted by the waters, who will lay his roots by the stream and will not see when the heat comes," but his leaf will be always green, and in the year of drought he will not be fatigued, nor will he fail to bear fruit. "
Let's go back to our episode:
When the apostles had failed in their fight against the storm, when they were dragging along the stream, when disturbed by the appearance of what they thought a ghost despaired of their fate, the Redeemer appeared radiant and powerful and, addressing them, said: Be encouraged, I am, do not fear. And he went up to them on the ship, and the wind calmed down.
The waves and the storm gave way to the most complete bonanza, in the waters and in the minds of the troubled sailors, in the presence of the One who "dominates the winds, the clouds and the sea." Where human means failed, the goodness, power and divine protection of the Lord triumphed.
It is always so with those who know how to trust in the powerful Savior. At critical moments of existence - He appears and grants his protection.
Storms and evils may come in the lives of those who are in Jesus, but nothing and no one can remove from their hearts the glorious assurance of arriving at the port of eternal life.
The promises are abundant and consoling. If poverty reaches your home; if left alone and abandoned in the world; if some danger threatens you, if the disease wants to cloud your hope; if the temptation were strong and I wanted to subdue it; if, in the end, tribulation, anguish, persecution, hunger, nakedness or danger come upon him, he will do more than overcome through him who loved him. Even in the most critical moments we could imagine, he could repeat with confidence: "Even though I walk in the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, because you will be with me, your rod and your staff will breathe me in."
Let us know, then, to recognize our insufficiency to protect ourselves from the hardships of life and to trust in Christ as our eternal Protector. Only then will we rest assured.
And when a storm rises during our journey towards the celestial mansions and the wind of adversity wants to prevent our march, when the waves of temptation, fierce and terrible seem to want to swallow, when dense clouds of doubt try to cover the limpid sky of our hope, let us know how to raise our sight and close, very close to us, we will see the serene and sweet face of Jesus who, looking at us with love, will say: "Be encouraged, I am, do not fear", and then the blessed calm of his peace will last in our hearts
