Whenever a hurricane is approaching, we inevitably see pictures of people who flock to ocean boulevards to watch incredible churning of the waters. While it may be extremely dangerous, and sometime people do get washed out to sea, there is almost a magnetic draw. The power of the ocean is mesmerizing and the force and swirl of the waters have a fascinating if frightening attraction.

This is the image that came to me as I pondered today’s first reading from Job as well as the gospel story. Both speak of the power of the waters. Job is more passively reflecting on God’s creation and the limits He put on the sea; while Jesus and His apostles are tossed about by the turbulence of the storm – perhaps not a hurricane as we know it, but certainly enough wind and churning that they thought they were going to drown. Jesus is first asleep in the boat, and then his calm demeanor as He commanded the storm and the waters to be still. The apostles conclude: Who is this that even the wind and the sea obey?

One clear message here is that God is indeed all powerful – more powerful that even the hurricane winds and the resulting turbulent waters. As Jesus used that power today to save His apostles from drowning, As Jesus used that power today to save His apostles from drowning, As Jesus used that power today to save His apostles from drowning, we remember how God used that power throughout history to save His people. We think for example of the parting of the Red Sea so that God could save the Israelites from the Egyptians.

On this Father’s Day weekend, as we reflect on fatherhood and our personal experience of fathers, we are reminded how God the Father, throughout history, cared for His people and continues to care for us even today. That while He may be all powerful, He always has time to listen to us and to watch over us and to bring us salvation.

While God has power to calm the storms and quiet the wave, He also has power to reassure the frightened, to strengthen the weary, and to lead us to the safety and comfort of home.