Saturday, February 01, 2020 — Third week of Ordinary time — Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark 4, 35-41 — God so loved the world that he gave his only son, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life

When evening came, Jesus invited his disciples to cross the sea to the other shore. Although the disciples were experienced fishermen, it is known that the Jews had always feared the sea. The book of Psalms in chapter 28 confirms this, the sea has always been considered the reign of evil. Jesus tested their faith by leading them from one shore to the other, braving what is commonly accepted as the domain of the power of Evil and moreover in the middle of the night.

What the disciples feared happened: the wind rose and the waves raged, the little boat filled up and had to sink when Jesus fell asleep. In panic, the disciples lost confidence and faith, and began to doubt Jesus, seemingly insensitive, indifferent even to their distress: "We are perishing; don't you care?"

Jesus, authoritarian, calmed the elements. "Do you not yet have faith?" In our hectic daily lives, Jesus crosses with us. He asks only for our faith, our trust in Him so that the crossing will be safe and that we will arrive with Him at the right port. Let us implore Jesus so that our faith in Him may be alive and without fail.