Parable at Sea!

Saturday, January 31, 2026

2 Sam 12:1-7a, 10-17; Mk 4:35-41

Today’s Gospel highlights Jesus’ practical teaching on faith at sea by calming the storm.

When Jesus invited his disciples to ‘go over to the other side’ in the boat, it was not a journey totally cut off from his regular instructions. Instead, Jesus planned for a lesson on faith at sea. 

Though the Sea of Galilee was known for sudden and violent storms, we cannot be sure how severe it was. However, it is from the words of the disciples – ‘Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?’ – that we understand that they were terrified indeed. 

We also believe that their cry was genuine because several of Jesus’ disciples were fishermen who had known how storms looked raging in the middle of the sea. Hence, we may safely assume that the storm was truly life-threatening. 

Nevertheless, what they forget is the fact that Jesus was with them in the sea. Accordingly, if what they claimed was true, then Jesus was also ‘perishing’ with them. In their moments of panic, they forgot the lifesaving and life-giving presence of Jesus with them. 

It is at this point that Jesus lets them discover his divine identity by calming the storm. The word ‘great’ has been used thrice: once to describe the violent storm; once to describe the calm after the storm; finally to describe the disciples’ feeling of awe and wonder at Jesus’ act. The condition of the disciples at sea was critical, but so great was the act of God that saved them. When his disciples look at Jesus calming the storm, they are astonished, ‘Who then is this…?’

While reflecting on the passage, we also believe that the storm was more metaphorical. Jesus’ disciples panicked when they merely looked at him as a ‘Teacher’ as they themselves address. Hence, while the storm results from their misunderstanding, the calm returns from the realization of their Teacher’s true divine identity.

As we conclude, we must also reflect on Mark’s focus. Here, the evangelist establishes Jesus’ divine identity when he commands the waters. The Jewish tradition held that only God commands the waters of the sea, which often symbolizes disorder and threat (Ps 89:9; Job 38:8-11). Jesus does not pray for calm. He orders it, and the creation obeys.

Jesus’ practical teaching on faith after calming the storm at sea underlines a profound truth. The storms of life should not send us panicking. When we recognize Jesus with us in the ‘lifeboat,’ we will have peace of mind, no matter how raging the water is. 

St. Alphonsus Liguori has a beautiful quote: ‘What does it cost us to say, ‘My God help me! Have mercy on me!’ Is there anything easier than this? And this little will suffice to save us if we be diligent in doing it.’

Let us pray for that faith that prays to the Lord to calm down our life’s storms.

Fr. Dhinakaran Savariyar