Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint 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?”
Let us cross to the other side
1) Let’s cross over to the other side. Everyday missionaries, like you and I, are called to go further, to get closer to those who need us. We can’t always stay in the same place with the same people. We are shepherds and we can’t take care exclusively of one single sheep… being content with combing its wool all the time. No! We must move ahead and go towards other sheep in need. We must go to them, not wait for them to come to us. That is one of the great temptations in our communities or church groups: waiting for people to come to us. No! We have to go out to them.
2) A strong gust of wind was unleashed. Crossing to the other side means going towards others in need. Being a missionary involves taking risks, even the risk of losing stability. Wherever a nun or a priest is sent, they will encounter challenges and there will be challenges for a catechist with every child and every new group. And evangelization can be difficult for the family. It can drown you. We must acknowledge that many evangelizers have failed and have felt their life turned upside-down. Crossing to the other side can bring about a crisis, even thinking that God has fallen “asleep” or that He cannot hear us. That is why everyday missionaries must be courageous and prudent, but never afraid. They should trust and pray.
3) There followed a great calm. As in the Gospel, questioning the Lord brings about a response; God acts. God won’t give you more than you can handle, but He also invites you to have faith. Christian life is a constant struggle, and you will overcome your crises with faith and trust in God. During your life, God will leave signs and when you look back and remember them, you’ll see that He has always held your hand, He has always been next to you. Cross over to the other side even if high water threatens to come into your life to drown you. If you trust and have faith, nothing will happen to you. Go for it! Brace yourself for the challenge of crossing over because nothing ventured, nothing gained! And remember… Jesus is the Emmanuel, God with us!
Never forget that something good is on the way! God bless you in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
