The Calmed Storm
The episode of the Calmed Storm is reported by Matthew, Mark, and Luke.[1] 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 the work of 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”.[2]"I see that the sky is clouding over and the sun is hiding behind huge storm clouds, which have suddenly appeared from behind the top of a hill. The wind blows them fast towards the lake. The wind, for the time being, is high up, and the lake is still quiet, it is only becoming darker and its surface is no longer perfectly smooth. There are no waves as yet, but the water is beginning to ruffle.Then the Disciples see "a real mountain of water moves fast from the centre of the lake towards the poor little boat. It is so high and dreadful that it looks like a water spout. The disciples who see it coming kneel down and hang onto whatever they can, certain that it is the end."[4]Peter and Andrew watch the sky and the lake and are preparing to draw close to the shore. But the wind suddenly rages over the lake that in a few minutes surges foaming. The swelling waves clash one against the other, they strike the little boat, lifting it up, lowering it down, tossing it in all directions, thus preventing all manoeuvres of the rudder as the wind prevents manoeuvring the sail, which has to be lowered.
[...] The storm rages more and more furiously. The lake is as black as if ink had been poured into it and is streaked by the foam of the waves. The boat lets in water and is driven farther and farther to the open sea by the wind. The disciples are perspiring in their efforts to manoeuvre the boat and baling out the water which the waves pour in. But to no avail. They are paddling in the water that reaches up to their knees and the boat is becoming heavier and heavier."[3]
The Context and Its Teaching
When Jesus comments on the episode to Maria Valtorta, he does not do so "in the same way as everybody else does",[5] but by going back to the facts preceding this spectacular miracle:"On that day, tired as I was and being requested to rest, that is to let them act, clever as they were, I went to sleep."[5]Indeed, the Apostles are confident, too confident in their skills as men and sailors, and this worried Jesus.
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 quiet' and to the water: 'Calm down. I want it.'"[4] Maria Valtorta does not explicitly report the phrase from the Gospels;"Peter, Andrew, James and John were good fishermen and consequently they thought they were unexcelled in handling a boat. As far as they were concerned I was a great “Rabbi”, but a mere nothing as a sailor. Thus they thought I was unable to help them, and when on the boat to cross the Sea of Galilee, they begged Me to sit down because I was not capable of doing anything else. Also their love for Me was behind their attitude, as they did not want Me to do any material work. But their attachment to their own ability was greater than their love."[5]
"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 the sky becomes clear once again over the appeased lake, while hope and faith fill the hearts of the disciples."[5]These Disciples who, having become apostles, will not forget that without Jesus-Christ, they can do nothing.[6]
"Call Me and I will come." says Jesus in conclusion to his commentary.[7]
Noteworthy Points
- Psalm 106 (Hebrew 107)[8] 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 Revealed to Me truly began. This explains the joy she wants to share with her confessor, Father R. Migliorini:
"Now that everybody is asleep I am telling you my joy. I «saw» today’s Gospel. Mind you, this morning when I read it, I said to myself: «This is an episode of the Gospel which I will never see, because it is not very suitable for a vision.» Instead, when I was not thinking about it, it came to fill me with joy."[9]