Domine salva nos perimus

Lord, save us, we perish. (Matthew 8:25)

I believe everybody knows of this famous story in Matthew 8:22-27; it is the story of the storm while Jesus and His disciples were on a boat.

I never really thought much about this very short story in the Gospel according to Saint Matthew. However - today - as it was being read during the Holy Mass, it occured to me that the story is of great relevance to the Christian life. Actually, the story is an analogy of the Christian life.

We have Jesus and His disciples on a journey. Their means of transportation is a boat. And we also have the storm. As the storm arose and threatened to sink the boat, Jesus was asleep.

What can we learn from this?

First, let us realize that the Christian life too is a journey. As in the story, it is a journey with Jesus Christ - without whom we will not reach our destination; heaven. It is also a journey with many dangers (the storm) that threaten to destroy us before we can even reach our goal.

In the story, the disciples woke Jesus up that He may calm the storm and save them.
But how did the Lord react? He said: Why are you fearful, O ye of little faith? (Matthew 8:26)

This is a very important part of the story in my view. We know that Jesus was with His disciples all the time. But He was asleep.

Why?

Jesus Christ is the one whom we - as His disciples - follow. So, we can conclude that we can learn from His actions. What can we learn from His sleeping amidst a storm so great it filled the hearts of the disciples with fear? We learn that we need not be scared. "Do not be afraid" is the Lord's message in the words of the late Pontifex, Pope John Paul II.

In the words of David:
The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the protector of my life: of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 26:1)

If God is with us and we truly believe, then what reason do we have to be afraid? Hence Jesus responded with the words:

Why are you fearful, O ye of little faith? (Matthew 8:26)

We will experience many storms in our lives. But we need not be afraid, for God is with us; even in times when He seems to be asleep.
Jesus did calm the sea to show that He has power over all things.

The boat in our journey to salvation is the Catholic Church, the universal sacrament of salvation, and the Christ is here with us in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist. Therefore, let us remain on this very boat where the Lord is with us all days (Matthew 28:20). So long we remain with Him, our Saviour, in the unity of His Church, there is nothing we have to fear.