A Three Hour Tour

Gospel: Mark 4: 35-41

The disciples all get into a boat with the goal of going to the opposite shore.  The Gospel portion does not say whether they arrived at that opposite shore or not; this original goal is not what is important any longer.  What becomes important now is the journey itself, the storm and the peril it brings, and who it is we are traveling with along the way.

When the storm arises, the original goal of arriving at the opposite shore is no longer important.  What is important is surviving the storm.  The disciples scurry about, doing all in their power and knowledge to secure the boat, but it is of little avail.  Then they remember who is traveling with them - Jesus, who is asleep on a cushion.  When they remember this fact, the storm is no longer a threat.

We all have goals we hope to achieve.  Sometimes we do realize them, but many times we do not.  Other more important things come into our lives that sometimes prevent us from them, or we realize that goal we had was not a worthy one after all.  Regardless of our goals and journeys, today we are reminded that Jesus is present to us in the midst of our boat, and if we are conscious of this fact, no storm or calamity can separate us from this presence among us.