Fifth Sunday after Pentecost

The Bible reading for this week is the familiar story of Jesus calming the storm on the Lake of Galilee.  It is interesting that the words Jesus uses to calm the storm are the same as the words he uses to drive out demons.  With the fall of creation, weather systems were also affected. The fact that Jesus, as a man, had authority over weather systems is a remarkable revelation but perhaps the main purpose of this passage is more symbolic and eternal, rather than a ‘one-off’ physical miracle.  The point is that once the disciples knew that Jesus was with them, their fears subsided.  As we voyage through life, to know the presence of God in our boat is to quell our fears.  In a sense, it is not so much about the height of the waves, but who is standing alongside us.  When sorrows inevitably descend upon our lives at some point, take heart, Jesus can stand next to us to help us overcome our worst worries.