Today's readings are here: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/012812.cfm
"They were filled with great awe and said to one another, 'Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?'"
Fear. It is a part of the human experience. We are afraid of many things including heights, insects, public places, public speaking, the opinions of others, and above all, death.
In today's Gospel, the disciples were afraid of a great storm that came up on the Sea of Galilee. To be honest, I think we would have been freaked out by the storm too. The squalls that would arise suddenly on the Sea of Galilee were quite violent.
But something happens to the fear of the disciples after Jesus calms the storm. It is not only transferred from the storm to Jesus, but it is also transformed from unhealthy fear to awe and worship.
I think the example of the disciples gives us a key for conquering our fears and anxieties. The more we fear God, that is, worship him with wonder and awe, the less impressed we will be with the things that frighten us, and the less we will fear them.
May God strengthen us to be more impressed with him whom the things that cause us fear obey than the things themselves.
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