Jesus Asks, Why Are You Afraid? Awakening Faith Within

TheHomily reviews the Gospel account of Jesus calming the storm . . .

. . . (Mark 4:35–41) with moral and spiritual lessons drawn from King David’s repentance and everyday human experience.

The disciples’ fear during the storm reveals their fragile faith, even though Christ is present with them. Jesus’ calm, even while asleep, demonstrates perfect trust in the Father and offers a model for finding interior peace amid life’s storms.

The Homily contrasts human judgment . . . quick to condemn others but slow to recognize personal sin . . . with David’s humility in acknowledging his own wrongdoing. Sin, while forgivable, always leaves consequences, illustrated through the parable of nails hammered into a wall. The reflection urges self-awareness, repentance, and mercy.

Awaken Christ Within You

Ultimately, the Homily calls believers to awaken Christ within themselves through prayer and the sacraments, especially Confession and the Eucharist. True peace comes from allowing Jesus to dwell actively in one’s heart, enabling courage, trust, and stability amid the storms of life.

Listen to

Jesus Asks, Why Are You Afraid? Awakening Faith Within

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Art Work

Christ Asleep during the Tempest: French Painter: Eugène Delacroix: 1853

The painting is now displayed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

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Gospel Reading: Mark 4: 35-41

First Reading: 2 Samuel 12: 1-7, 10-17

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Why was this image selected:

The artist emphasizes Christ sleeping peacefully while chaos reigns around Him. This directly reflects the Homily’s insight that fear arises when Christ is “allowed to sleep” within us, and that faith must actively awaken His presence through prayer and sacramental life.