You might have noticed a bell hanging at the entrance of many Hindu temples in India and elsewhere. The visitors will ring the bell upon entering the temple. Once I asked a believer about the intention behind ringing the bell before entering the temple. He said that by doing this they awaken God so that God can see and hear everyone.
I found this custom and this idea very interesting because we also think sometimes whether God is sleeping, because we do not feel his presence in difficult situations in our lives.
Especially when we experience a situation in our own life like a hurricane, where panic, fear and uncertainty reign, or when we need help and advice and no one is there to help us, we desperately ask whether the good Lord is sleeping.
In today’s Gospel we heard that Jesus is someone who can sleep well. Even in the boat in a stormy sea, when water got into the boat and he got wet and the storm was loud, even when his disciples screamed in fear of death, Jesus was able to sleep peacefully. It is interesting to know that Jesus was able to sleep in the midst of all problems and in the midst of the danger of death.
Jesus’ words were amazing. It expressed the fact why he was able to sleep in peace. He said to the storm: “Be still, be still.” Jesus commanded the nature just as he did the demons. Jesus heals the sick, casts out demons and frees the possessed, he commands nature when it reacts unusually and threatens. Jesus is the Lord of nature, the Lord of all things.
But we often don’t have control over many everyday things in life. A small problem, a small downfall, loss, misunderstanding or argument can make us uneasy and cause fear and panic.
The words of the disciples also gain our special attention. They said to Jesus, “Lord, you do not care that we perish.” Like those disciples in the boat, we may also ask the question to Jesus in the midst of life’s whirlwind: „don’t you care that I get restless?“
But just as those believers who ring a bell at the entrance to the temple and try to wake up God, we too can try to wake up Jesus. This bell to wake up Jesus is our prayer or our participation in the Divine Liturgy. Not only can Jesus sleep well in the midst of stormy seas and in the midst of all problems, but he can also command, “be silent, be still.”
If we remember these words of Jesus and think about Jesus’ actions and turn to him in prayer, I am sure that we can overcome all the problems of our everyday lives, and live free from fear and be able to sleep peacefully.
Fr Joseph Pandiappallil MCBS