St. Mark 4: 30 – 41

December 10, 2022

30 And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it?

31 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth:

32 But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.

33 And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it.

34 But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.

35 And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.

36 And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.

37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.

38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?

39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?

41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

“…be still.” Psalm 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God;”. Be still. It’s one of the hardest things for us humans to do – be still. Ever watch a sporting event on tv? How many people are up and about and not watching the game I assume they pay a lot of money to attend? Sitting in church – even during prayer we’re not ‘still’, some are getting the hymnal ready because that’s next and some are reading the bulletin and some are getting their tithe ready for plate. Always makes me smile. There is no ‘still’.

I was blessed, several years ago now, to attend a three day retreat in Conyers, Georgia at the Monastery of the Holy Spirit. Our bishop led the retreat study and we ate in silence with the monks. There were periods of time that were ‘free’ for the participants to do as they chose. I found myself in the church, sitting, looking at the huge, beautiful stained glass window high above the altar. No one else was there. It was just me and God. I was ‘still’. It had such a profound affect on me, I remember it to this day.

Find a place and a time and be still. Be still.

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