“Teacher, do you not care if we perish?” This is what the disciples said to Jesus when crossing the sea and a storm began to blow. This is from yesterday’s Gospel reading, Mark 4:35 – 41. Do you ever ask Jesus the same question? “Jesus, don’t you care about me?”

Lately, it seems that every day we are in one storm or another. The world seems to be going crazy, with violence, immorality, narcissism, selfishness, you name it, it is out there. We pray but nothing seems to change, nothing seems to happen. Jesus, don’t you care about me?

There are great storms all around us. everyday wind and waves beat against us, our boat takes on water, we are afraid. No one comes to save us, to help us. We have to wonder if anyone will save us or if we will be left to perish. “Teacher, do you not care if we perish?”

After Jesus is awakened he rebukes the wind and calms the seas. Then he asks his disciples, “Why are you afraid? Have you no faith?” Did they think Jesus would let them perish? He is telling them that if they had faith, they could get through the storm.

We have to have faith as well. Faith in Jesus will get us through the storms around us. He will not let us perish, he will give us the strength to navigate our way, as long as we trust in Him and have faith in Him. Every single day it seems that I am hit with another storm, it seems that the water is filling the boat, but I know that Jesus has my back. He will not let me falter as long as I keep my faith in him.

I am not afraid.

And a great storm of wind arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion;  and they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care if we perish?” And he awoke and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.  He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you no faith?” – Mark 4:37 – 40 (RSVCE)