Peace Be Still
Saturday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 4:35-41 - On that day, as evening drew on, Jesus said to his disciples: “Let us cross to the other side.” Leaving the crowd, they took Jesus with them in the boat just as he was. And other boats were with him. A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already filling up. Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. They woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” He woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Quiet! Be still!” The wind ceased and there was great calm. Then he asked them, “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?” They were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“They woke him and said to him, ‘Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?’”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
At least four of Jesus’ disciples knew how to sail very well. They spent much of their lives fishing on the sea. But here they face a situation in which, despite the skill and experience they have, they find themselves coming up short. First, their stress becomes worry. Then, their worry becomes panic. They fear they might actually die. As terrible as this situation is, it shows us something very important: some situations in life are too big for us to handle; we just don’t have the power.
We should learn from the many things the disciples did wrong, and the one thing they (finally) did right. First, the disciples wrongly assumed that because God let them struggle, that He must not care: “do you not care that we are perishing?” Actually, God allows us to struggle because He cares. He makes us better, and brings us closer to Himself, by our struggles. Next, the disciples count on themselves first, and approach God only after all their efforts, resources, and powers fail. Actually, it’s not God’s fault that our problems grow out of control…. Often it’s our fault that we have not come to Him much sooner. Last, the disciples keep their eyes fixed on the problem instead of the solution. Though we need to take our trials seriously, even more, we need to take our God seriously. He’s much more powerful than any storm, and when the disciples finally do approach Jesus, He calms their storm with great ease. If we need our storms calmed, we must come quickly to Jesus. He will give us rest.
As a family, pray a portion of the Rosary together (very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture passage above. (Optional: allow a brief time for discussion or questions from children concerning their thoughts and prayer.)
Reminder for Parents: Pier is just meant to be a jumping off point. The real goal is that you pray & eventually use the fruits of your personal prayer as the content of your family’s prayer. Duc in altum.
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