Daily Gospel Reflection for January 31, 2015

Today's Gospel: Mark 4:35-41

Memorial of Saint John Bosco, Priest

Today’s gospel takes me back to the amazing opportunity I had a few years ago during my trip to the Holy Land to take a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. Before the trip to Israel, I had never known that the body of water we read about is also known as the Lake of Gennesaret. Hearing “sea,” I had always pictured the oceans of my southern California childhood. How surprised I had been to arrive and find a lake—a large one (33 miles in circumference)—but still not at all what I had pictured in my mind.

It wasn’t until the small boat we were riding in hit the waves at the center of the sea that I could begin to appreciate the fear the disciples must have felt in this passage when a squall blew up, thrashing their small boat. In no time, a peaceful lake could become a roaring giant. How amazed the disciples must have been to see Jesus rise from his slumber and calmly command the waves and wind into submission!

In my own life, when I’m paying attention I have near daily opportunities to see God’s power calm the “squalls” which rock my little world. But all too often, my lack of faith causes me to doubt God’s care just as the disciples did when they asked, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” When I fully rely upon God’s goodness and compassion, the many “waves” that threaten to topple me are calmed and smoothed. In God, there is peace and rest.

Ponder:

How much faith do you have in God’s ability to bring grace and peace into your life?

Pray:

Jesus, who even the winds and sea obey, help me today and always to have a strong, true, and abundant faith in your love.

We thank our friends at The Word Among Us for providing our gospel reflection team with copies of Abide In My Word 2015: Mass Readings at Your Fingertips. To pray the daily gospels with this wonderful resource, visit The Word Among Us.

Copyright 2015 Lisa Hendey