The Cyber Vitamin June 22, 2006

The Cyber Vitamin
June 22, 2006

Read: Mark 4:35-41

The Story:

Jesus in a small boat at night. . . .While his fisherman friends sail the vessel, Jesus lies asleep in the stern. When a gale hits the lake, and the boat is in jeopardy, Jesus continues to slumber. Wakened by his distraught disciples, Jesus commands the storm to cease. It does so. The disciples exclaim: “Who is this then, that the wind and sea obey him.”

Mark included this story in his Gospel to underline the unique status of Jesus. He wants readers to keep asking the question: “Who is this? What do we have here?”

The answer is that in Jesus we have someone in such close alliance with the awesome Creator of creation, that he has authority over the natural world. In stilling the storm, Jesus not only saves the lives of his disciples, but demonstrates the cosmic power granted to him by God.

Mark has been tenaciously posing one question as his story unfolds: it is that of Jesus’ unique authority. Jesus teaches with authority, and his listeners asks , “Who is this whose words make such an impact?”. He heals the sick, and they ask “Who is this whose hands heal ?” He casts the demons out of tormented, minds, and the people ask: “Who is this that evil has authority over Satan’s world?.

And then Mark gives us the story of Jesus calming the storm. His disciples gasp: “Who is this, that even the wind and the waves obey him.”

Mark does not directly answer that question for his readers. He makes them face it, and invites them to make a decision about it. Some, on hearing this story of Jesus stilling the storm, would exclaim in awe: “This man was Divine.” What do you say? is the question this story poses for you today.

Reflection:

Do you believe, do you have faith in the midst of the storms of your life? If you have fears, can you name them? Can you talk with Jesus about them?

In stilling the storm, Jesus also brought peace to the hearts of his disciples. Have you experienced this peace? Have you opened your heart up enough so the peace of Christ can enter in? Should you draw on this peace more often?

Prayer:
Lord, be with us. May your compassion and wisdom be our spiritual food and drink. Be with us as we make decisions about genetic engineering or virtual reality, body transplants or brain enhancing drugs, space exploration or the adventures of cyberspace, the artificial maintenance of life or the quality of life and euthanasia. Through all the changing scenes of life, enable us to seek first your kingdom and its true-goodness. Give us the peace that can weather any storms we face. Amen.