Many times we refer to the extreme (untapped) possibilities in a given situation, or even in a particular person, as a “sleeping giant,” that once awakened could produce magnificent effects on the most grand scale.  The question always becomes, how do we awake this “sleeping giant?”  How do we prod the giant from its doldrums?

 This week, within a small group gathering, I participated in a shared reflection on the story of the “calming of the storm” in Mark’s gospel (Mark 4:35-41).   Many images struck the group, including Jesus’ invitation to the disciples to get into the boat in the first place to “cross to the other side,” the “terror” experienced by the disciples in the boat, the “storm” itself, and the power of Jesus to “calm the storm” once they awakened him.

 I cannot do justice to the richness of the shared group reflection on the gospel, but I would like to mention some interesting points that surfaced within the group.  Jesus invited the disciples to “cross to the other side.”  The disciples then “took Jesus with them into the boat, just as he was.”  Then Jesus promptly went to “sleep,” as the “storm” begins to ensue.  The boat is taking on water and Jesus is lying on a comfortable cushion in the stern of the boat.  Then the panic begins!

 Have you ever felt that you were asked to get into a boat bound for an unknown destination and to cross over to the “other side?”  Perhaps a new relationship, a new job – maybe even the loss of something or someone.  It could even be moving forward without even really knowing where you are going. Many times the transitions come as an invitation, but often enough they seem to simply present themselves.

 My own experience of “transitions” has always included a bit of fright and uncomfortableness.    And even though I know that Jesus Christ is in the boat with me, surely enough, uneasiness sets in, questions, uncertainty, doubt, and sometimes even extreme tumultuous anxiety and terror.  Where is my Companion now?  Sleeping maybe?

 I am convinced that we perceive things primarily from our own perspective, formed by personality, life experiences, and so many other factors.  In other words, we experience life just as we are at a given moment.  It’s almost as if Mark’s description of Jesus in the Gospel is as much about us as it is about God.  Like the disciples, we take Jesus into our “boat” just as he is which also means just as we are!  I believe this is a consolation.  There’s a comfortableness and acceptance present.  No wonder Jesus goes to sleep.

 At the same time, however, something is always there to distract, upset, offend, offset, anger, frustrate or even disgust us.  We take it onto ourselves like the boat taking on water.  With the loss of control, we feel helpless.  And, we are helpless….by ourselves.  The singularity of our perhaps narrow perspective needs to be broken or expanded.  Who is really sleeping?  Who needs to be awakened?  Is it me?  Is it you? Is it us? 

 The most authentic experiences that I have had in my life have always included someone else, or many others!  And most of these experiences have also included some sort of loss, suffering, pain….some type of “storm.”  Many times I have needed to “wake up”, or be “woken up,” to what’s really happening.  I would like to think that sometimes I have also helped “wake up” others.

Waking up can take time…sometimes a long time.  But when we wake up, we begin to become aware of the most important and enduring things about our lives.  Mind you, waking up doesn’t mean the storm subsides necessarily, but it does provide the way for a “Stillness” within the storm…a way of Being! Could we be the “sleeping” Christ for each other, and thus also be the “Waking” Christ for each other?

  Peace,

 Thomas