God in Jesus calms even what seems like the most unconquerable disturbances, like storms at sea.

Life is a challenge. Couples struggle with their relationships. Parents have to deal with their children growing up in a world that is sometimes hostile to the values we hold sacred.

Summertime is supposed to be the slow season. School’s out; the temperature’s up; sandals are on, and sauntering is in. But some of us can be forgiven if our hearts are still racing this June.

There’s a great scene in the film Forrest Gump that relates to today’s readings. In the movie, Captain Dan lost his legs in a battle that he believes was a sign of his failure as a leader.

My daughter was having a meltdown in the middle of the lobby of the Playboy Building, which, oddly enough, houses her pediatrician’s office. She did not want to leave, but she didn’t want to stay.

Brought together in the church, the ark of faith, we ask in these prayers for the salvation God has promised us.

He woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Quiet! Be still!” In calming the storm and sea, Jesus uses words similar to ones he used when he rebuked the unclean spirit possessing a man in Mark 1:25: “Quiet! Come out of him!”

Why therefore be disturbed? Your heart is agitated by the tribulations of the world, as the boat in which Jesus Christ was asleep. . . . This boat in which Jesus Christ is sleeping is your heart in which faith is slumbering. What news do you hear, O Christian, what news do you hear? —Augustine of Hippo (354-430)