STILL - B: 12th Sun in OrdTime

Mk 4:35-41 (23 June 2024)

“He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm” (Mark 4:39 NRSV).

What is remarkable in this verse is that it appears to convey one and the same idea of silent submission. The word “peace” indicates an absence of war or turmoil. The term “still” implies inaction and pause from any human activity. The expression “cease” infers a stoppage from doing something. Finally, the phrase “dead calm” denotes prolonged and satisfying tranquility. Clearly, with the repetition of the same notion of expressing stillness, the gospel passage wants to underscore the idea of victory from the violent storm that the disciples of Jesus had faced (v. 37).

This was made possible by a mere command of Jesus (v. 39).

Even the Latin Vulgate’s equivalent translation of this verse highlights the dimension of silence: “Et exsúrgens comminátus est vento et dixit mari: ‘Tace, obmutésce!’ Et cessávit ventus, et facta est tranquíllitas magna”. The Latin term “tace” pertains to silently surrendering something, just as it is reflected in the English cognate tacit, which means “implied” or “understood“. “Obmutesce” specifies a mute condition. “Cessavit” is the past tense of performing a complete stop. The phrase “tranquillitas magna” stresses complete harmony.

The question now is why does Mark put an overemphasis on the idea of total silence in this episode. The first word in the speech of Jesus here, i.e., “peace” or “tace”, is the Greek equivalent of the verb “siōpaō”. It literally means silence or peace, occurring 10 times in the New Testament. It occurs frequently in Mark; apart from 4:39, they are found in four other verses:

• 3:4: “Then he said to them, “Is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the sabbath, to save life or to kill?” But they were silent.”

• 9:34: “But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest.”

• 10:48: “Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’”

• 14:61: “But he was silent and did not answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?””

In all these verses, it is observable that there is an existing conflict or quarrel among individuals. In Mark 3, the religious leaders were opposing Jesus for curing someone with withered hand on a Sabbath. In Mark 9, Jesus’ disciples were arguing with each other on who is the greatest among them. In Mark 10, the crowd were reprimanding Bartimaeus for disturbing Jesus on his way to Jerusalem. In Mark 14, Jesus was being unjustly tried by the High Priest along with the Sanhedrin. The use, hence, of the word “siopao” in the Markan context is a call for one’s internal disposition of peace in transcending moments of conflict.

In reality, these conflicts were never resolved in the Markan narrative. Indeed, the Pharisees and other Jewish leaders remained hostile with Jesus. His disciples continued to doubt and manifest their little faith in him. The crowd maintained their reactive traits, which led to their later clamour for Jesus’ crucifixion. Lastly, the High Priest was firm in instigating the arrest, trial, and later death of Jesus. Despite a perennial turmoil, the Markan Jesus calls for an internal peace among his followers. That is the reason why Jesus scolded his disciples afterwards with the words: “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” (v. 40).

Simply put, the disciples have no peace of mind because they have no faith, and vice versa. The challenge, then, of today’s gospel is for all Christians to find solace within their hearts amidst the troubles in the world today.

Sufferings may remain and may even worsen, but with an internal peace coupled with a strong faith in Jesus, tranquility will surely be achieved.

I end this reflection with these beautiful lines from the song titled “Still” by Don Moen:

“When the oceans rise

And the thunders roar

I Will soar with You

Above the storm

Father You are King

Over the flood

And I will be still

And know You are God….

Be still and know

That I am God

I am the God

That healeth thee”.

• Rex Fortes, CM