Posted by The WORD in other words (2014) by Fr Joseph Miras SVD – Toronto, Canada
Tuesday 13th Week in Ordinary Time
The calming of the storm is considered one of the first miracles of Jesus in the Gospel according to Matthew. But as it is told, there is not much detail provided regarding the reaction of disciples, followers and sympathizers to his first miracle except the wonder it elicited from his disciples.
It would be interesting to know what kind of significance did Jesus’ disciples, followers and symphatizers attribute to this miracles and other miracles.
Seemingly, there was much admiration on Jesus after he performed miracles, like the multiplication of loaves, healing of the lame, the deaf and dumb, the exorcism he did on the possessed man or the Generasene man, raising of a girl from the dead. In fact there were outsiders who believed in him like the Syro-Phoenician woman, the Roman officer whose servant Jesus cured. But despite all these, they were not fully convinced that Jesus was the “Son of God”.
We remember that it was only after the resurrection that they became convinced that Jesus was indeed from God. In short, there was not much commitment to the person of Jesus demonstrated by his disciples.
The calming of the storm could be seen as an extension or application of the theme of God’s sovereignty over nature. Jesus controls the waters and let is submit to him.
Just like in his many miracles, most probably his disciples, followers and sympathizers did not recognize the full impact of this miracle–manifestation of power–the way Jesus saw it in the context of him fulfilling God’s promise of salvation.
Spectacular natural events may lead us to awe and wonder. They may even hold and sustain our interest to the greater question of a creator and eventually to the divine and sacred. But it is only a person who can make us commit to a greater cause.
Jesus’ power and God’s sovereignty may be much about signs and wonders. But definitely, they are means to help us better appreciate the majesty and the glory, beauty and simplicity of God. On the other hand, who Jesus was, is and will be, will be a constant enigma and mystery until we fully grasp the very mysterious ways his persons could lead us to the divine.
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