Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/561

 into account  following  circumstances. After a violent  storm  it  is  usually many hours  before  the  movement  of  the  waves  subsides,  and  the surface of  the  sea  regains  its  smoothness. But in  this  case  the  calm followed immediately  on  our  Lord’s  words. Man never  feels  himself  so small,  so  powerless,  so  pitiable  as  when  he  is  in  conflict  with  the  uncontrolled powers  of  nature. Then those  who  think  themselves  strongest recognize their  weakness  and  cry  out  to  God  for  help. But Jesus  arises and commands  the  raging  elements,  and  they  obey  Him. "O Lord  of hosts”,  cries  the  Psalmist,  “who  is  like  to  Thee!  Thou  rulest  the  power of  the  sea,  and  appeasest  the  motion  of  the  waves  thereof’  (Ps.  88,  9).

The Two  Natures  in  Jesus  Christ. As  Man  He  was  tired  and slept; as  God  He  commanded  the  winds  and  the  waves.

The weak  faith  of  the  disciples  was  shown  by  their  thinking  that  our Lord, when  asleep,  was  powerless  to  help  them. They forgot  that  His Godhead cannot  sleep,  but  is  ever  awake  and  watchful  over  His  servants.

The object  of  this  miracle was  1. to increase  and  strengthen  the faith of  the  apostles;  2. to teach  the  apostles  and  their  successors  that they, as  fishers  of  men,  would  be  exposed  to  many  persecutions  and afflictions; but that  Jesus  would  always  be  with  them  to  hush  the  storm.

The Church  Militant, with  the  successor  of  St.  Peter  at  the  helm, is typified  by  Peter’s  little  ship  threatened  with  destruction  by  the  storm. The Church  has  to  contend  with  many  adversaries; but  our  Lord  is  in her  midst,  and  if  at  times  He  seems  to  slumber,  He  still  knows  the sufferings and  dangers  which  threaten  His  Church,  and  all  at  once  He will  arise,  command  the  storm  by  His  Almighty  word,  and  once  more give back  peace  and  liberty  to  His  Church.

The storm  of  temptation.  There  arise  storms  in  the  lives  of  individuals also,  when  sufferings  and  temptations  assail  them. Sometimes a person seems  in  danger  of  sinking,  i.  e.  of  sinning  and  losing  eternal life. But God  is  near  him,  with  His  help,  grace  and  consolation. St. Bernard  says  about  this: “Though  the  world  should  rave  and  Satan rage, though  the  flesh  should  rebel,  I will  still  hope  in  Thee,  O my God;  for  who  has  ever  hoped  in  Thee  and  been  confounded?”

Storms of  life. So  it  is  in  all  the  storms  of  life. If only  we  have confidence in  God,  and  ask  Him  to  come  to  our  aid,  He  will  not  fail us in  the  hour  of  our  need. He whom  the  winds  and  the  seas  obey is ever  at  hand  to  help  those  who  invoke  His  name.

Many storms  arise  in  your  heart,  as  when,  for instance, you  are  moved  to  anger  or  jealousy,  or  are  cast  down by cowardice. In all  such  temptations  keep  Jesus  in  your  heart, and cry  out  to  Him,  saying:  “Lord,  save  me,  or  I perish!”