III week days mass reflection of the year 24

22 - 27 JANUARY 2024, HOLY MASS REFLECTIONS 22 JANUARY 2024: 2 SAMUEL 5. 1-7, 10; MARK 3. 22-30 Focus: Power that empowers! Indicative: The true power lies not in domineering others but in shepherding them, in surrender to the Lord   1.      We live in a power-hungry world where power and authority are almost identified with domination and manipulation. In such a context, David in the first reading and Jesus in the gospel, show us what is true power. It comes only from God, from His abiding presence and guidance. 2.       Power and authority are meant to shepherd those entrusted to one's care. True power never sides with evil and never compromises with evil forces. It always combats the evil and surpasses and binds the evil one who is strong. 3.       Working for unity and for good in consistency and commitment was the hallmark of all of them. In fact, this is the essential trait of any good and godly person. In contrast, any trace of division and inconsistency in doing good are clearly the clearest signs of the evil one. 4.       That is why when the scribes blame Jesus that he was casting out demons with the help of Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he challenges them. He contests: “How can Satan cast out Satan… if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand”. Jesus casts out demons not because he is working in cooperation with him but because he is stronger than Satan. He binds Satan, the strong one. 5.       Therefore the greater strength of the men of God comes only from the power of God. It is the power of the Holy Spirit. Anything that is good is “spiritual” power and not demoniac. In this sense, it would be really sinful if one does not recognize the action of the Spirit. And in that sense, it is really blasphemy to attribute the divine power to the help of the evil spirit. 6.       In this context, we all must be very cautious and judicious lest we also fall into the sin of ‘wrong attribution’ and ‘falsification’ of what is good and godly. Often our self-righteousness, our arrogance, our power-mongering, prejudices, and jealousies lead us into the sin of slander and calumny. This is nothing but a disguised “blasphemy”!   Direction: A power that divides and rules, a power that plunders the belongings of the house and destroys the order and integrity of life, is certainly evil and is the work of the evil spirit.   (Reflection 2) Pivot: Blind to good! Pointer: God is ever ready and eager to heal us and make us whole. What is needed is openness to His action and submission to His healing touch 1.      “He is possessed by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, and casts out demons”. This was the accusation of the Pharisees against Jesus as he was healing the possessed men. This shows their prejudice, narrow-mindedness, and jealousy. Consequently, they take away the value of healing. They twist reality. They even misinterpret it as the work of the devil. 2.      They stand before us as examples of people who are easily driven by human prejudices but do not realise the gravity of the evil consequences. They want to spit out their venom on Jesus out of jealousy and self-righteousness. They resent him and accuse him. 3.      But the pity is they do not realise that in this process of opposing and blaming Jesus, they are putting themselves against God Himself. In denying Jesus’ holiness and divine power, they would deny God’s own power and mercy. They deny that Jesus is the highest high priest. God designed him as the one to establish a new covenant with his own blood once and for all. 4.      This is what Jesus warns them of. In their haste to denounce Jesus, they fall into the sin of blasphemy. The irony is they commit the very same sin of which they accuse Jesus often. Often we may be taking away the credit due to God Himself in our evil-mindedness to take away the credit due to others. Orientation: We must be very careful that our individual differences and prejudices do not make us blind to the working of God’s grace 23 JANUARY: 2 SAMUEL 6.12b-15, 17-19; MARK 3. 31-35 Pivot: Rise beyond! Pointer: All of us belong to one God and one family of God. What is required is a constant awareness of this oneness of God’s family 1.       “Who are my mother and my brothers?” “Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and brother”. Thereby, Jesus makes his priorities clear. Belonging to God is higher and more important than belonging to the human group. 2.       Spiritual family is higher and more important than natural family. Doing God’s will is higher and more important than mere formal duties. 3.      Thus, Jesus does not allow himself to be confined or conditioned by natural affinities. Jesus owns up his mother and his sisters and brothers, not by blood relationship, but only by adhering to God's will. 4.      This is a crucial challenge and urgent exigency. Sadly, we are living in a society that is fragmented by various divisive factors like caste, region, religion, language, culture, rite, et cetera. 5.      Subsequently, nepotism, favouritism, and communalism are rupturing the sense of unity. These secondary affinities are overriding and even substitute the core identity of one family of God’s children and brothers and sisters. Consequently, a good number live and promote these affinities and their interests and agendas, detriment to the larger concerns and growth. 6.      In fact, these are very limiting and narrow demarcations. These are signs and effects of a narrow mind and narrow inner space. They fail to recognise that the Relationship with Christ is not a matter of lineage or blood, but of heart, inner space and commitment 7.      Unfortunately, these narrow factors do not exempt the spiritual domain as well. Those who belong to Christ are not merely those who are baptized, or those who bear the Christian name, or are members of the Church, or remain close to the Church, or do actively some religious activities. 8.      The only criterion and way to belong to Christ, to be owned by Christ, and to become his family is to do God's will.   Orientation: Every division and disunity is a sign of inner narrowness. Therefore, let us enlarge our hearts and foster the spirit of a spiritual and fraternal family (Reflection 2) Thrust: A family bond beyond bounds! Indicative: When higher things come, lower things must concede to take a secondary place. When a new family ushers in, the natural family boundaries must be submerged 1.         “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” “Whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother”. Here is a clear call for a “new family”, a new way of belonging to God and one another. 2.         Our allegiance to God is not on the basis of our religious allegiances, titles, positions or traditions. The only criterion for belonging to God and for being His family is “doing God’s will”. What does this imply? 3.         Doing God’s will signifies in the first place understanding and experiencing God in His benevolent ways. This leads to deep humility and repentance. This will make us closely related to Him. This shall make us delight in doing His will. Finally, it will also make us resemble Him. 4.         Therefore, to do God’s will essentially implies experiencing Him, relating with Him, becoming like Him, and seeking to do what pleases Him. I cannot claim to belong to Him and do His will without humble repentance, a personal experience, an intimate relationship, a resemblance to Him, and a commitment to do His will. 5.         This is the only ground and the only means that makes us one spiritual and fraternal family. This means that we can become this new family of God only when we do His will. Conversely, this means that whenever we fail in doing God’s will, we fail in being His family. This also means that whenever we fail in being a family of God, we are failing in doing His will. 6.         This is also the test that testifies to our belonging to God and love for Him. All our divisions and discriminations in the name of different affinities like caste, creed, region, language, culture, rite, et cetera are counter-witnessing and counter-productive.   Imperative: Fostering a profound sense of one Family of God’s children and brothers and sisters to one another is the best antidote to our divided and divisive culture to regain our lost spirituality and fraternity 24 JANUARY 2024: 2 SAM 7. 4-17; MARK 4.1-20, SAINT FRANCIS DE SALES Focus: Soil that is fertile! Indicative: Human conditions and situations may be divergent, but disposition should be positive and receptive. Only then, life will be abundantly productive   1.      God's grace is constant and abundant. This grace is beyond all the differences and difficulties of human living situations. It has no discriminations. The seed of God's grace is offered to all the four kinds of soil in the gospel. 2.      But the extent of their receptivity and the way and durability of the care and growth of the seed make the difference in the extent of the production and the product. 3.      There is no use in blaming God's grace or the situations. In fact, these four soil- categories are not exclusive and water-tight compartments. These four types of tendencies and receptivity surround us all in varying degrees. 4.      There is a total indifference and lack of openness represented by the wayside soil. There is a lack of stability and depth represented by the rocky soil. There is a lack of resistance and perseverance amidst the dominance of the evil represented by the bushy soil. And there is the total receptivity and fecundity represented by the fertile soil. It is left to us how to respond to God's grace. 5.      Most people are not productive, because they are not receptive and active toward God’s action. Rightly, they are like those described by Jesus in the gospel: They see but do not perceive; they hear, but do not understand. They are so closed and unreceptive. They fail to turn again and to receive God’s forgiveness. 6.      In this context, St Francis de Sales whom we commemorate today stands before us as a glowing example of the fertile soil that is superabundant. He was totally receptive to and cooperative with God’s grace and so he bore abundant fruits of the Spirit.   Imperative: Productivity and abundance of fruit is not a by chance matter, but a matter of choice to be receptive and diligent to produce.   (Reflection 2)   Focus: The fruitfulness of life is all a matter of receptivity and productivity, in terms of a conducive disposition and active cultivation and actualization   1.      Life is meaningful when it is truly fruitful. Many live meaninglessly because they fail to live that meaning and worth of life in bearing fruits. Real fruitfulness is a matter of spiritual fecundity. The parable of the Sower in the gospel discusses this issue of fruitfulness. Many fail to be fruit-bearing. What is the problem and what is the reason? The parable gives us the answer and thus the direction as well. 2.      The problem of not bearing fruit is not of the seed. The seed is God’s Word, His grace, His gifts, His blessings. The seed is always the best, powerful and fecund. God never lacks in providing the good seed of His Word and His grace, gifts and blessings. 3.      Lord, the Eternal Sower continues to sow the seeds in all of us. He never fails us in His care and never fails us in providing the required conditions and graces for our growth and productivity. This is what is affirmed in Isaiah: Is. 55.10-11: His word is like rain which does not return to Him without effect. The grace of God always rains upon us. Rain descends on earth, irrigates it, nourishes it and makes life sprout up 4.      So, if the seed is excellent, if God’s grace is incessant and powerful, then why often not much effect is seen, and not much fruit is produced? It is because the growth and fruition of the seed depend upon the nature and quality of the soil that receives and nurtures the seed. 5.      Now, there are four types of soil which receive the same seeds. The extent of bearing fruits depends on the type of the soil, in terms of its disposition of being conducive, receptive and thus productive. 6.      What kind of soil are we?: Are we like the first soil of the road that has no permanence and stability, even to receive the seed, where absolutely there is no abiding, no retaining of the word, where the word does not even make an entry into the heart, where there is no taking root at all? 7.      Are we like the second soil, the rocky, that lacks the rootedness and depth, where the word finds no deep root, where the receptivity is shallow and peripheral, where the seed gets scorched by any little heat? 8.      Are we like the third soil, the thorny, that lacks the will to resist and persevere against the odd forces that choke and suffocate the growth, and thus easily succumbs to the deviated and distorted influences, where there are many worldly preoccupations and allurements, where the growth is choked by earthly inclinations and interests, and thereby no productivity? 9.      Or, are we like the last soil that is fertile, receptive and responsive, responsible and productive? 10.  Thus, ultimately, fruitfulness is a matter of one’s total receptivity to the seed of God’s Word and abundant productivity in fruits of good character and actions. Fruitfulness requires a docility that is humble and prompt (unlike the roadside soil), a depth that remains rooted and firm in God (unlike the rocky ground), a resistance and perseverance to grow amidst bushes and thorns (unlike the thorny soil), and an assiduity to cultivate and produce abundant harvest (like the fertile soil). There is not much use to extol the greatness of God’s Word which is the seed. It is more useful to examine and improve the quality of the soil of our hearts and life. 11.  Let us then do a sincere self-check concerning God’s grace: Whether we are responding promptly, listening attentively, attending seriously, preserving profoundly, caring assiduously, preparing the soil wisely, cooperating wholeheartedly, and acting positively. In other words, removing all those factors that block and promote those conditions that lead to fecundity   Direction: The problem of productivity precisely is a concern of sensitivity, openness, listening, seeing, feeling and acting. Let us be abundant in fruits and not merely in seeds of good desires, intentions, and words   25 JANUARY 2024: ACTS 22. 3-16; MARK 16. 15-18, CONVERSION OF ST PAUL Focus: Faith is essentially Conversion! Indicative: The real test and proof of faith is conversion. Conversion is not merely a matter of more knowledge of beliefs and traditions, or more ability to preach the Word and organize spiritual activities. Conversion is essentially a change of heart and way of life 1.      Today on 25th January we celebrate the conversion of Paul. His conversion narrative is so dramatic and the details are very suggestive. He was on his way to Damascus with a destructive plan to persecute and terminate the followers of Christ. 2.       But on the way, he encounters Jesus. Great light from heaven shone around him. He falls to the ground. He hears the voice of Jesus himself. Jesus confronts him, “Why are you persecuting me?” He loses his sight. He is led to Damascus, to a devout Ananias. He restores sight to Paul and discloses to him God’s plan for him. He confirms him in his new mission of bearing witness to the Lord. 3.       The conversion of Paul is a great eye-opener for all of us regarding our own unconverted lives. Bearing the name of a Christian, having the label or garb of a disciple of Christ, believing some doctrines, following some traditions, and performing some religious activities are good but not enough. These are not guarantees of conversion. 4.       Real conversion must touch the heart and change the way of life. One greatest sign of conversion is the realization that failure in fraternity is a failure in faith: Any act of persecuting and harming others is persecuting the Lord himself and obstructing his way. There is no use of great evangelization or even working great miracles if we lack fraternity and charity. 5.       Conversion also implies openness to encounter the great light from heaven, to realize and dispel our own shades of darkness, and to receive new sight. How many of us allow God’s light to shine upon us? How many realize that we are still walking in the dark? How many are ready to receive constantly the new light of a renewed purpose, a renewed way, a renewed loyalty, a renewed commitment? 6.       Paul’s conversion was the greatest turning point from being a persecutor to being persecuted, from a blind hater to a passionate lover of Christ, from slavery to wrong ideology to loyalty to deep spirituality. How many are really ready to suffer something for God and others? 7.       How absurd it is that many claim to love and serve God while they hate others and God’s ways? How many adamantly and arrogantly stick to their own wrong ways and self-interests and become disloyal to the directives of a genuine spirituality?   Imperative: Paul’s conversion is a great sample of true conversion. True conversion is nothing but passion for God and for the good of others. This passion is rooted in unswerving love for Jesus and undaunted commitment to his mission (Reflection 2) Pivot: Struck and about-turn! Pointer: God’s grace and mercy have no boundaries. They can touch and convert anyone at any time. It requires humble receptivity and cooperation 1.      Today, we celebrate Paul’s conversion. His conversion is one of the world’s greatest testimonies to God’s wondrous and unpredictable ways. As the angel attested to Mary at the annunciation, “Nothing is impossible for God”. 2.      By grace, a virgin conceives like Mary. By grace, old women bear a son like Sarah and Elizabeth. Now by the same grace, a fierce hater and persecutor like Saul could become an intense lover and promoter of faith and God’s people. 3.      Therefore, we shall never apply conditions or impose restrictions on God’s grace and action. Never try to “domesticate” God. All the acts of fanaticism, communal violence and hate campaigns are vivid proofs of this “domestication” of God’s grace. It is religious arrogance. 4.      Every sort of persecution is equal to persecuting God Himself, as Jesus says to Saul, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” This realisation should dawn on everyone, especially those who persecute others in the name of religion or fidelity to tradition and heritage. They mistakenly think and are wrongly convinced that they are pleasing God. In fact, they are only agonising and persecuting God. 5.      Paul’s conversion indicates that the guiding principle and norm of life must be not the persecution of others but the conversion of the self. What is important is not resisting God’s way and forcing others to follow wrong convictions. It is rather supporting and promoting God’s Way of salvation. 6.      Paul’s conversion is a roadmap for genuine conversion. The description of the conversion scene suggests some essential conditions of conversion: Light shone. He fell to the ground. He heard a voice from above. 7.      Jesus’ words, “Why are you persecuting me?” reveal the truth of God’s agony in the harm to others. Paul’s question, “What shall I do?” indicates his prompt willingness to change his way of life. 8.      Paul receives a new course of action: he gets up and goes to Damascus. There he meets the holy man Ananias who baptises him and restores sight. He follows what Ananias directs him to do. Ananias’ words to Paul also indicate what are the real ingredients and effects of conversion. They are to know God’s will, to hear the sound of his voice, and to be His witness before all. Orientation: Docility and openness to realise and change the way of life are essential for any conversion. Let us not adamantly adhere to false convictions and persecute God and others 26 JANUARY 2024: 2 TIMOTHY 1. 1-8; LUKE 10. 1-9, SAINTS TIMOTHY & TITUS   Focus: Faith that is aflame and fiery! Indicative: Faith is essentially fire and not ashes. Our faith must always burn us with the fire of love for God and set us in flames of zeal and benevolence toward others   1.      Today, lethargy and compromise are prevailing and reducing the quality of faith, benevolence, and dedication in all spheres of life. Consequently, we do not find many sincere efforts to grow in faith, to do good to others, and to be committed to the right things in life. 2.       Many are so shallow and thus easily waver in their faith. Many are so self-centred and self-interested and thus are indifferent and unkind. Many are so comfort-seeking and compromising and thus are non-committal to a value-life. 3.       It is in this context the Word of God of today, in commemoration of Saints Timothy and Titus is a clear illuminator and indicator for us to renew our lost spirits. Like Timothy and Titus, we are called to preserve and foster a sincere faith by constantly “fanning it into flame” and not allowing it to become tepid. 4.       We are to be people of power and not fear. Our operating principles are love and self-control. The sole purpose and aim is to bear testimony to the Lord. For this, we need to be ready to share in suffering for the sake of the gospel. 5.       It is because we share in the mission of the Lord himself and it is very challenging. We will be like “lambs among the wolves”. Besides, the mission is vast but the missioners are few, as Jesus says, “Harvest is plentiful but the labourers are few”. 6.       It is a mission of spreading the kingdom of God where God’s love, peace, and justice reign. We are called to be lovers and promoters of peace and not division and aggression. We need to give a healing touch to a world that is sick in different ways and forms. Certain stability and consistency is also required as Jesus says, “Remain in the same house… do not go from house to house”. 7.       There is also a sense of “urgency” of the mission. It means that we must be always on wheels, always plunged into action. There is no time to waste, and one cannot procrastinate. Time is short and precious and we cannot afford to lose it in unnecessary niceties and secondary things, as Jesus says, “Greet no one on the road”. 8.       In carrying out such a challenging mission, we must shun every tendency to excessively depend on our own human resources like talent and competence or on worldly securities and guarantees like money, power, and position. 9.       That is why Jesus warns us, “Carry no money bag, no knapsack, no sandals”. It is not that we do not make use of the available resources or equipment. The point is that our greatest resource and equipment is God’s power that sustains, guides, and strengthens us in our mission journey.   Imperative: The followers of the Lord would do well in their mission if they did not cling too much to worldly securities and autonomies. While these can be handy and complementing, nothing of these must be substituted for the power of God   (Reflection 2)    Pivot: Charged for mission! Pointer: God chooses us and anoints us with His Spirit, trains us at His feet and in His company, and commissions us with His own mission. He needs us to continue His mission. And we need Him to be able to continue 1.      We commemorate today Saints Timothy and Titus. In the first reading, we get an imitable example of faith and mission. Timothy inherited from his grandmother and mother a sincere faith and nurtured it. 2.      He stirred into flame the gift of faith. He was not ashamed of his faith but considered it a dignity and privilege. He was not timid but courageous. With the strength that comes from the gospel, he bore the hardships perseveringly. Thus he bore testimony to the Lord. 3.      We are also called to constantly nurture and stir into flame the gift of faith that we have gratuitously received from God. We too are called to bear testimony to the Lord through our life and mission. 4.      Now our mission is exactly the same as that of the disciples and Timothy and Titus. The gospel presents us with some of the mission components. It is an enormous mission: “The harvest is plenty but the labourers are few”.We need to be responsible and diligent labourers. 5.      We need to be conscious of the grave challenge of being lambs among wolves. Thus, we must be prepared for opposition and endangerment. We must cultivate the spirit of detachment, not depending on “money or sack or sandals”. It is a call not to rely on worldly securities and guarantees. 6.      Further,   it is a peace mission, spreading peace and harmony wherever we go. It is a healing mission of curing the sick. It is ultimately a kingdom mission, constantly striving to take the people closer to God’s kingdom of love, justice, and dignity.   Orientation: Our greatest mission is to bring the Kingdom of God nearer to the people, and to make the values of the kingdom a reality. In other words, it is to bear witness to the gospel in power, love, and self-control   26 JANUARY 2024, REPUBLIC DAY 1.      26 January is a great historic moment and event in the history of India. It is the celebration of the Republic Day of India. While 15 August 1947 marks the independence day of India, after decades and decades of slavery under British colonialism, 26 January 1950 marks the making of the Constitution of India. 2.       Thereby India regains full sovereignty, the power for self-governance, and self-rule. Power and freedom mark the life and destiny of any nation. No external force or fear. The people of India have the freedom and the power to govern themselves, through electing their own representatives who serve them. People are not slaves or servants. They are the real masters. They are not mere beneficiaries, but the actual designers. 3.       On this joyful day of Republic, first of all, let us admire, appreciate and salute all those great leaders and noble souls, who were relentless and selfless, in sacrificing their own interests, and their careers, in toiling assiduously to attain the liberation, and steering the destiny of the nation, through a well-articulated and balanced Constitution. 4.       Secondly, deepen and develop a love and loyalty for the country. Sadly, there is a gripping indifference that chokes any positive action, and a lack of concern that obstructs any growth. We are invited once again today. 5.       It is to cultivate a spirit and culture of belonging to the motherland, social consciousness, and responsibility toward the well-being of the country, to participate and contribute actively to the various programs and activities that safeguard, and enhance the discipline and the progress of the nation. 6.       Further, we are also earnestly called to foster the spirit of unity, fraternity, and solidarity, among all the Indians, rising above all the external diversities like religion, region, language, culture, etc. We should be cautious and judicious, to guard against all forces and pressures of hostility, violence, and destruction. The spirit that should permeate and animates us is: “One nation, one vision, one striving!”   27 JANUARY 2024: 2 SAMUEL 12. 1-7, 10-17; MARK 4. 35-41   Focus: Defocus deviates! Indicative: When one loses self-focus, one loses self-awareness and self-renewal, and thus life itself becomes a loss.   1.      Focus is the key factor in any sphere of human life. The loss of focus leads to disastrous consequences. It makes one lose the sense of purpose and direction. It makes one distracted, deviated, and distorted. It makes one mediocre and uncommitted. It reduces drastically the quality and density of one’s performance and excellence. 2.       This is a double focus: Focus on self and focus on God. Self-focus is not self-interest or selfishness. Rather it is a concern to discover and groom the true self and perfect it. It is a constant striving to eliminate the layers of a false self and to brighten and rejuvenate the real self. In other words, self-focus is a journey of self-discovery and self-renewal. 3.       This self-focus was missing in David. He committed the sins of adultery and murder. But he was not self-conscious. Prophet Nathan tries to make David aware of his sin through a story. He narrates the story of a rich man with many flocks and a poor man with only one lamb. At the arrival of a guest, the rich man feasts with the only lamb of the poor man, instead of one from his many flocks. 4.       The rich man in the story clearly points to David in direct reference to his sin of taking Uriah’s wife despite his numerous women. The story was supposed to bring David self-focus and thus lead to repentance and self-rectification. But still, David failed in self-focus. Hence Nathan had to tell him explicitly, “You are the man!” 5.       In the gospel, we have the other aspect of the loss of focus, and that is the focus on the Lord. The disciples in the boat are attacked and frightened by a storm. In their panic, they lose their focus on the Lord. They find him asleep. They get annoyed that he is not bothered even in their perishing situation. 6.       This is clearly the loss of focus on the Lord. They fail to believe that as long as the Lord is present with them in the same boat, nothing can harm them because no power can overpower his power. Further, they fail to realize that he is ever concerned for them and that he would never allow any harm to befall them.     Imperative: If the loss of God-focus and self-focus is the cause for many evils in human life, leading to a lack of devotion and dedication, then the only remedy to arrest such a situation is to reawaken this double focus. Be focused on God and be focused on the true self!   (Reflection 2)   Pivot: Faith that is holistic! Pointer: As believers, we will certainly go through tests and trials like any others, and sometimes, even more. But the Lord is always with us to lead us through   1.      Today’s Word of God invites us to focus on faith. We are taught what is faith and what faith does in our life. First of all, faith is not a guarantor or insulator against all troubles and turmoils in life. We must remember that even the disciples, and even with Jesus on their boat, had to face a storm. 2.      This shows that even when we have faith, and even when Jesus is with us, God may allow difficulties, fears, and tensions to surround us. The first reading also reminds us that faith will not exempt even righteous persons like Abraham from trying times. 3.      However, true faith keeps us steadfast through tests and takes us to victory. Faith makes us obey in surrender. It keeps us assured. It empowers us to accomplish things that are humanly not normal. Finally, faith helps us to sail over the storms and to experience calm. 4.      Storms are natural and fear is also natural. Jesus rebuked the frightened disciples in the boat, with the question, “Why are you terrified? Do you not have faith?” The reason for his rebuke is not so much their fear but their lack of faith. 5.      This becomes clear in their rushing to Jesus, protesting, “Do you not care that we are perishing?” Humanly speaking, they must have been annoyed and displeased with Jesus. They were running for life in dread and he was peacefully and “carelessly” sleeping. They were in panic all around, and he was cool on a “cushion”. 6.      So the problem was not their fear of waking up Jesus or seeking his intervention. The issue was they lost sight of the unfailing care of Jesus. They forgot that he is the life-giver and life-saver. He came to give life and save life. But they stuck to the fear of death and perishing.   Orientation: In the face of difficulties and afflictions, our approach must be not to doubt God’s presence and care for us. Rather, let us confide in Him firmly and sail through life with enduring hope