Who Is In the Boat With You?
- davidwperk
- Jul 23
- 5 min read
Devotional Reflection, Wednesday, July 23 2025
Proper 11, the week of the sixth Sunday after Pentecost
The Rev. David W. Perkins, Th.D.
Phrase for reflection from today’s Gospel reading:
37A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. 38But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, ‘Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?’ 39He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Peace! Be still!’ Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm 40He said to them, ‘Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?’
You will find the full text of today’s Gospel reading at the end of this reflection.
Daily Office Lectionary readings (BCP, 976)
AM Psalm 119:49-72; PM Psalm 49, [53]
1 Samuel 25:23-44; Acts 14:19-28; Mark 4:35-41
Today we celebrate the Feast of John Cassian. (See below.)
David's Reflections
I find this text oddly humorous. First, Jesus must have been quite a sleeper not to have awakened in a small boat being tossed and swamped in a squall. The disciples had to rouse him. Also, their question, "Do you not care that we are perishing?", provokes a smile as well. Had the ship sunk, Jesus would have gone down with them. Whatever happened to them was going to happen to him as well.
Jesus spoke to the sea and storm as one would to brawling children. We could translate his orders as "Quiet!" "Silence!" In the prophetic tradition of Moses and Elijah, nature responded to the faith of a person. At Moses' prayer, the Reed Sea opened. At Elijah's prayer, a three-year drought came to an abrupt end.
Why am I afraid? Jesus' question to the disciples can be asked of what I dread, what provokes my anxieties, what stirs my gut with fear. If I am in crisis, whatever happens to me also happens to Jesus because he is in the boat of my life with me. If I am in need and feel deprived, Jesus lives within me and shares that need with me.
If Jesus seems to be asleep and unaware, I can awaken him through my prayers with my cries of anxiety and fear and pain. His followers went directly to him. That must be my recourse, bringing my frightened self and my concerns into his presence in prayers that leave nothing out.
Jesus addressed the demons in Mark 1 with the word I rendered “silence” in a pervious paragraph. It is as though he spoke directly to the storm in that same fashion. Could we draw from this that chaos in our lives--whether inner chaos, outer conflict with others, or chaotic circumstances—has a demonic quality about it? Can we, with our faith in Christ surging within, rebuke that chaos in Jesus’ name. Can we, emboldened by Spirit, say, “Be muzzled! Be silent.”?
Perhaps this Celtic prayer will help form the words of your and my prayer in those moments of spine-chilling fear.
Jesus, the Encircler
Jesu! Only-begotten Son and Lamb of God the Father, You gave the wine-blood of your body to buy me from the grave.My Christ! my Christ! my shield, my encircler,each day, each night, each light, each dark;My Christ! my Christ! my shield, my encircler,Each day, each night, each light, each dark.
Be near me, uphold me, my treasure, my triumph,
In my lying, in my standing, in my watching, in my sleeping.
Jesu, Son of Mary! my helper, my encircler,Jesu, Son of David! my strength everlasting;Jesu, Son of Mary! my helper, my encircler,Jesu, Son of David! my strength everlasting.+
+Alexander MacDonald, crofter, Borve, Barra in Carmina Gadelica, Hymns and Incantations…, Vol. III, p. 77. English translation modified.
Collect of the Day, Proper 11, The sixth Sunday after Pentecost
Almighty God, the fountain of all wisdom, you know our necessities before we ask and our ignorance in asking: Have compassion on our weakness, and mercifully give us those things which for our unworthiness we dare not, and for our blindness we cannot ask; through the worthiness of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (BCP, 231)
Today we celebrate the Feast of John Cassian, abbot at Marseilles (died ca 435 CE).
Collect of the Feast of John Cassian
Holy God, whose beloved Son Jesus Christ blessed the pure in heart: Grant that we, together with your servant John Cassian and in union with his prayers, may ever seek the purity with which to behold you as you are; one God in Trinity of persons now and for ever. Amen.
A Collect for Grace
Lord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought us in safety to this new day: Preserve us with your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 100)
Collect for Renewal of Life
God of mercy, we no longer look for Jesus among the dead, for he is alive and has become the Lord of life. From the waters of death you raise us with him and renew your gift of life within us. Increase in our hearts and minds the risen life we share with Christ, and help us to grow as your people toward the fullness of eternal life with you, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Book of Common Worship (Louisville: Westminster/John Knox, 1993), p. 539.
For those we love
Almighty God, we entrust all who are dear to us to your never-failing care and love, for this life and the life to come, knowing that you are doing for them better things than we can desire or pray for; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 831)
A Prayer for Light
O Lord God Almighty, as you have taught us to call the evening, the morning, and the noonday one day; and have made the sun to know its going down: Dispel the darkness of our hearts, that by your brightness we may know you to be the true God and eternal light, living and reigning for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP, 110)
A Collect for Mission
Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on the hard wood of the cross that everyone might come within the reach of your saving embrace: So clothe us in your Spirit that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those who do not know you to the knowledge and love of you; for the honor of your Name. Amen. (BCP, 101)
Daily Office Gospel, Mark 4:35-41
35 On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, ‘Let us go across to the other side.’ 36And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. 37A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. 38But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, ‘Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?’ 39He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Peace! Be still!’ Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. 40He said to them, ‘Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?’ 41And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, ‘Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?’
Daily Prayer Offices in The Book of Common Prayer
Morning Prayer, Rite 2, page 75, Book of Common Prayer
Noonday Prayer, p. 103, Book of Common Prayer
Order of Worship for Evening (Vespers), p. 109, Book of Common Prayer
Evening Prayer, Rite 2, page 115, Book of Common Prayer
Compline (Night Prayer), Page 127, Book of Common Prayer
Daily Devotionals, page 136, Book of Common Prayer
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