I liken this Gospel passage to my experience of seminary formation. As I desire to become a priest, I am learning the ways of Jesus here in the seminary and in the different apostolates that I have had. In the seminary, squall-like problems may arise that could shake my faith. In this journey of formation, however, I feel that I am not alone; the formators and the community are my strong support.

In the Gospel, Jesus initiated their crossing to the other side before rebuking the squall. It was Jesus’ initiative to call me even when I may be beset with storms of uncertainties along the way in formation. These can only be surpassed through Him who first called me. God, after all, is bigger than any of my problems.

Now that I am in my sixth year of seminary formation, I realize that the “deposit of faith” with which I have accumulated does not spare me from the storms of life. Being a sixth-year seminarian does not shield me from the challenges that the formation journey offers me further. The Thirty-Day Retreat that our batch underwent last summer does not guarantee that the boat where I am in will not be shaken anymore, that I should already be fearless. The waves can actually get bigger. The challenge given to me now is to always rely on His grace and entrust everything to Him especially this vocation He has given me.

By: Sem. Peter Collin C. Crisostomo

Today’s Gospel

Mk 4:35-41

On that day, as evening drew on, Jesus said to his disciples:
“Let us cross to the other side.”
Leaving the crowd, they took Jesus with them in the boat just as he was.
And other boats were with him.
A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat,
so that it was already filling up.
Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion.
They woke him and said to him,
“Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”
He woke up,
rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Quiet! Be still!”
The wind ceased and there was great calm.
Then he asked them, “Why are you terrified?
Do you not yet have faith?”
They were filled with great awe and said to one another,
“Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?”