We have all faced storms wherever we live: rain storms, hurricanes, tornados, blizzards. These cause destruction, inconvenience, and death. They are frightening, but they are temporary. They never last forever; they always pass. This is the first aspect of the disciples - and our own - lack of faith. We are so caught up in the present moment that we fail to take the long view that storms are not permanent states of existence and that they will pass. Even if Jesus had not dispelled the storm, it would have passed on its own.
Ultimately we are afraid of storms because we are afraid of death. The storm threatens our existence, but again the fear of death is a lack of faith in the disciples and us. If the storm passes and we are alive, then our fear was misplaced, but what if we do die? Why are we afraid? Do we really believe in a loving Father as our God? If we do, then again our fear of death is misplaced and we lack the faith we ought to have as followers of the Lord Jesus.
Jesus rebuked the disciples - and he rebukes us - for our lack of faith in the midst of storms in our life. The perpetual crisis machine that occupies religious media and many circles of church life is entirely antithetical to the way of Jesus or any notion of faith. Today's Gospel reminds us that Jesus slept calmly in the midst of the storm because his entire focus was on a loving God, and we are called to be likewise.
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