Saturday 29 January

2 Samuel 12:1-7, 10-17; Psalm 51:12-17; Mark 4:35-41

Do not be afraid.

The storm at sea tells not only of an event in the life of Jesus but reflects the experience of early Christians. The boat carrying the disciples and the sleeping Jesus is an image of the Church. Storm-tossed on the seas of the Roman Empire, the small early Church was puzzled as to why Jesus seemed asleep and unaware of dangers that faced them. We face many storms as Church today. Imagine Jesus saying to us: “Do not be afraid.”