Faith (or a lack thereof) is the golden thread that runs through the readings today. In the first reading from Hebrews 11, we see the definition of faith, followed by a teaching on Abraham, the father of the faith. How appropriate. Then in the Gospel reading from Mark 4, a storm comes on the sea as Jesus and the disciples are out in a boat. Jesus is sleeping.
When the storm comes up, the disciples wake Jesus from his sleep and ask Him a question. “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” Jesus calms the storm and asks them a couple of questions back. “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?” Does this sound like a vaguely familiar conversation? Perhaps one that you have had with Jesus yourself?
Isn’t it the case that sometimes when we go through a time of trial, sometimes short, sometimes prolonged, we ask Jesus that same question? Lord, do you not care?! Do you not care that my friend is dying? Do you not care that I’ve lost my job? Do you not care that we can’t make the mortgage payment? We all know that the problem is not that Jesus doesn’t care. Rather, the problem lies within us. And that is at the root of Jesus’ question back to the disciples in the boat. “Do you not yet have faith?”
Father, forgive us for the times when we question your care for us. Strengthen our faith, and help us to understand that you always have what is best for us in mind. Amen.
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