It has been almost two years now, and we are still fighting the pandemic. Last December, we felt a glimpse of hope because of the continuous decline in the number of positive cases of COVID-19, but in the days that followed the new year, we experienced a new wave of cases because of the Omicron variant.

It is as if we are back on the boat and there again in the middle of a storm. We may be asking the same question that the disciples of Jesus asked, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” Simply put, “Does the Lord still care?” There are many people who died because of the virus and still many are battling with it. Many had lost their jobs. Front-liners are separated from their family members. People are being isolated. We cannot freely leave our homes and with certainty not bring the virus when we return.

“Why are you terrified? Do you not have faith?” As we continue our battle against this unseen enemy, we are reminded by the Gospel today that Jesus is with us in the storm that we are experiencing. We must continue to hold on to our faith that one day, like the wind and the sea, the pandemic will fade away. We really do not know when this will end, but these words of Jesus are our assurance that He is continuously walking and caring for us amidst the storms of life.

By: Sem. Renz Marion C. Cunanan

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?”