Last week we heard two of Jesus’ parables. Parables, of course, were Jesus’ unique way of teaching, with some 40 such lessons. Today in the Gospel, we hear about one of his miracles, the calming of the storm at sea. Miracles were Jesus’ unique way of acting. But they also teach us.
(By the way, today’s Gospel is the same Gospel that Pope Francis chose 4 years ago, when he gave his memorable talk completely alone in St. Peter’s Square in the midst of the COVID shutdown.)
When we consider that recent papal application of the Gospel, along with today’s first reading from Job, we can say that we have an invitation to adjust our outlook, especially in difficult circumstances. We are called to focus more on God than self, even in the storms of our lives. Human suffering is always a mystery, a painful mystery. But the Scripture teaching today is that God is present in human storms and suffering, even if it seems that God is asleep. If God seems asleep, then it’s up to us to actually wake up and put God in the center of what’s happening to us.
The sea is a biblical symbol for change and growth. So even though we may be standing on solid ground here, we are also always somewhat at sea. We may even have some winds and waves beating against us. This is a good opportunity to put today’s Gospel into practice. Focus more on God than the winds and the waves, don’t leave God in the bottom of the boat.
Are we open to the change, growth and transformation that is always offered to us? A more God-centered outlook is a good way of saying yes.