I am With You Always Amidst the Storm

The readings for the 12th Sunday of the Ordinary Time present a powerful and evocative image of God’s ways calming the storms of life. They oﬀer profound lessons on faith, trust and the divine power of God in Christ in the midst of life’s turbulence.

Job’s “storms” were not atmospheric tempests but life’s mysterious tragedies. Unable to comprehend the compatibility of physical punishments and his moral integrity, he questioned God of the meaning of his storms and received an evasive answer of God’s almighty power in everything. Such divine assertion of His sovereignty should arouse trust in Job on God’s ways. That Job’s seeming tragic experience do not escape God’s sovereign rule. The anchor upon which man should take hold in times of shipwreck must be the conviction of God’s everlasting love (Psalm 1 07). That is the same love that urges (“caritas urget nos” – 2 Cor 5:14) St. Paul to embrace his apostolic trials because God loves us unto his death, and therefore, no other evil should frighten God’s faithful ones.

The Gospel is an evocative description of a life in a journey. The status viatoris (state of one in a journey - Sum. Theo. II-II, q. 18, 1. 4) is characterized by an inevitable encounter of storms of life. The disciples’ journey with Jesus across the lake symbolizes our journey through life with Him. Just as they face a sudden and violent storm, so too we encounter unexpected and daunting challenges. Yet even when the storm rages, Christ is with us in the boat. His presence, though, does not guarantee the absence of storm but it assures us of His companionship — I am with you to carry you through life’s tempests. Fear is a natural response in face of danger. Although seasoned ﬁshermen, the disciples were overwhelmed by fear. In their desperation, they questioned Jesus’ divine concern. Jesus’ response narrowed down on the most critical requirement of discipleship: FAITH. “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” He asks. Jesus calls us to trust in Him even when circumstances seem dire. Faith in Christ transcends our fears and anchors us in His steadfast love and power.

By calming the storm with a mere command, Jesus reveals His divine authority over nature. It is not just a display of His divine power but a tangible testimony to His identity as the Son of God. The wind and the waves obey Him, affirming that all creation is under His sovereign control. This same Jesus who commands the forces of nature is the one who cares for us personally and intimately.

Finally, this passage is a call to examine how deep our faith in Jesus. Like the disciples, we witness many miracles in our lives and have heard His words proclaimed with authority. And yet, in the face of storms, our faith waver. We have experienced God’s goodness in our lives and His saving presence in the sacraments, yet moments of crisis challenge our trust. Jesus asks each one of us: “Do you still have no faith?” It is a question which makes us reﬂect on our faith journey and an increase of our reliance on Him.

As we navigate the storms of life, let us not forget that Jesus is always in the boat with us. His presence brings peace, calms the chaos of our lives and casts out all fears. He is always with us, but especially amidst the experience of storm and the tossing of waves.