The Calmed Storm
The episode of the Calmed Storm is reported by Matthew, Mark, and Luke ([1]-[2]-[3]). The three evangelists agree on the situation: Jesus and the Apostles are crossing the Sea of Tiberias to reach the other side in Decapolis, in the land of the Gadarene, says Matthew, of the Gerasenes, say Mark and Luke, "opposite Galilee".
The Sea of Tiberias is known for its violent storms because of temperature differences with the surrounding heights. This is what happens. The storm is so violent that the Disciples wake Jesus who had fallen asleep so that he might save them from imminent danger. This is what he does by "rebuking the winds and the sea," say Matthew and Luke, rebuking the wind and saying to the sea: "Quiet, be still!" for Mark. This episode raises at least three questions:
- Why does this storm terrify experienced sailors?
- Why was Jesus asleep?
- What is the spiritual meaning of the episode?
In Maria Valtorta
The Meteorological Phenomenon
The scene takes place on Wednesday, March 15, 28 (2 Nissan 3788). It is surprising that experienced sailors familiar with the area could have such a fear that they fear shipwreck. What happens?
Maria Valtorta describes the formation of an abnormally high wave caused by a gust of wind. Indeed, the Sea of Tiberias is enclosed and situated about 200 meters below sea level. It seems that the "Venturi effect" occurs here, a high-intensity wind observed in mountainous zones, forming on the lake a sort of “rogue wave”[4]."I see the sky darken and the sun hide behind storm clouds suddenly emerging from behind a hill crest. The wind pushes them quickly toward the lake. The wind is still aloft and the lake is calm. Only it takes on a darker hue and ripples on the surface. They are not yet waves, but the water is already stirring. Peter and Andrew watch the sky and the lake and prepare to maneuver to dock. But the wind strikes the lake, and within minutes, all bubbles and foams. The waves clash and hit the boat, lifting it, lowering it, tossing it in every direction, preventing the rudder maneuver as the wind hinders the sail's maneuver, which must be reefed. [...] The storm grows increasingly fierce. The lake turns black as if ink had been poured in it, streaked by wave foam. The boat swallows water and is pushed offshore by the wind. The Disciples sweat at the oars and bailing out the water the waves throw in. But it is useless. They now wade in water up to their calves, and the boat keeps getting heavier." [5]Then the Disciples see "a real mountain of water rising from the middle of the lake coming rapidly toward the poor boat. It looks like a waterspout so high and frightening. The Disciples, seeing it coming, kneel and grab whatever they can, convinced it is the end."[6]
The Context and Its Teaching
When Jesus comments on the episode to Maria Valtorta, he does not do so "in the way everyone comments" ([7]), but by going back to the facts preceding this spectacular miracle: "That day I was tired, and they begged me to rest, meaning to let them do, as they were so capable. So I began to sleep." Indeed, the Apostles are confident, too confident in their skills as men and sailors, and this worried Jesus."Peter, Andrew the Apostle, James, and John were good fishermen and for this reason they believed themselves unsurpassable in handling boats. I, in their eyes, was a great 'Rabbi' but a failure as a sailor. That is why they judged me incapable of helping them and, when they climbed into the boat to cross the Sea of Galilee, they begged me to sit down because I was incapable of anything else. Their affection was also a factor, and they did not want to impose material fatigue on me. But attachment to their 'know-how' surpassed even the affection."
Then, at the peak of anguish, not knowing what else to do, Peter turns to God who "stretches out his arms towards the waves and says to the wind: 'Stop and be silent' and to the water: 'Be still. I will it.'" Maria Valtorta does not explicitly report the phrase from the Gospels; "Filled with great fear, they said to one another: 'Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?'" She only evokes it with this phrase: "And on the pacified lake returns the serenity of the sky and the hope and the faith in the Heart of the Disciples." These Disciples who, having become Apostles, will not forget that without Jesus-Christ, they can do nothing.[8]
"Be still and I will come," says Jesus in conclusion to his commentary.[9]
Noteworthy Points
- Psalm 106 (Hebrew 107)[10] relates closely to this episode of the Calmed Storm. The Apostles, like all Hebrews, knew the Psalms. This may explain their final astonishment and fear. The Psalm, which speaks of the "redeemed of the Lord," indeed says:
"Some, embarked on ships, busy with their work on the high seas, have seen the works of the Lord and his wonders among the oceans. He speaks, and causes the storm, a wind that raises the waves: lifted up to the sky, falling into the depths, they became sick to the soul; they reel and stagger like drunkards: their wisdom is swallowed up. In their distress they cried out to the Lord, and he brought them out of their troubles, silencing the storm and quieting the waves. They rejoice that they are calmed, and are led to the harbor they desired."
- Maria Valtorta received this vision on Sunday, January 30, 1944. It is the Gospel of the day. Although visions began for her on April 23, 1943, it was only in January 1944 that the constitutive visions of The Gospel as It Was Revealed to Me truly began. This explains the joy she wants to share with her confessor, Father R. Migliorini:
"Now that everyone is asleep, I share with you my joy. I have 'seen' today's Gospel. Note that this morning, while reading it, I told myself: 'Here is a Gospel episode that I will never see because it lends itself little to a vision.' On the contrary, at the moment I least expected it, it came to fill me with joy."[11]