Introduction
This Gospel story contains the account of Jesus calming the storm at sea, according to the Gospel of Matthew.
The Gospel Account
In this account, Jesus is traveling by sea to the other side of the territory. The sea in biblical times represents the unknown, chaotic, part of reality where humans have little control. The violent storm is literally “an earthquake,” a shaking of the old order to bring in the Reign of God. Jesus challenges His disciples’ trust in Him to save them from peril. He transforms the storm into great calm.
The full account of this Gospel passage may be found in Matthew 8:23-27.
The Five Decades
When you pray the five decades of this Rosary Reflection, use these five moments from Mary’s prayer in the Gospel. Read the Gospel verses for each decade and let the words sink in as you pray that decade.
First Decade: Jesus Travels by Sea (Matthew 8:23)
Jesus got into a boat and His disciples followed him.
Second Decade: A Violent Storm Arises (Matthew 8:24)
Suddenly a violent storm came up on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by waves; but He was asleep.
Third Decade: His Disciples Ask Jesus to Save Them (Matthew 8:25)
They came and woke Him, saying, “Lord, save us.”
Fourth Decade: Jesus Brings Calm (Matthew 8:26)
He said to them, “Why are you terrified, O you of little faith?” Then, He got up, rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was great calm.
Fifth Decade: His Disciples are Amazed at Jesus (Matthew 8:27)
The men were amazed and said, “What sort of man is this, whom even the winds and the sea obey?”
What to Remember
This Gospel story conveys the power of Jesus to change the perils and dangers on life’s journey to places and periods of peace and great calm.
As a follower of Jesus, you can ask Him to save you, your family, your friends, and others from dire situations that endanger their lives. You can learn to let go of your fear and trust Jesus to “make all things well” in your life and the world. No matter what circumstances happen in life, Jesus is there with His shalom, a wave of deep peace and calm to soothe your worries, calm your spirit, and replace your fears with deep peace.
What to Pray For
- For a greater faith to believe that Jesus is with you in every storm, bringing about great calm.
- For those who are lost and swamped with fear, frightened on life’s journey, that they will encounter the deep peace of Jesus.
- For safety for all those in harm’s way and in the path of nature’s violent storms.
- For the courage to get into the boat to follow Jesus, come what may, and let Him amaze you.
Feel free to pray the rosary using this Gospel for a deeper connection with the great calm of Jesus’ presence in life.
Where This Gospel Appears
Matthew’s Gospel account in the Gospel reading appears in Chapter 8, verses 23-27.
* Scripture passages are from the United Conference of Catholic Bishops website, https://usccb.org/bibleJesus is Reviled (Luke 23:39)“Jesus, Remember Me” (Luke 23:42)
