Calming the storm

This photograph of Prospect Bay in Nova Scotia (taken on a family holiday to visit Canadian relatives) I used today at St James to illustrate the peace and calmness of Lake Galilee before the calamitous storm that left the disciples fearing for their lives.

Jesus was asleep in the back of the boat, seemingly oblivious to the crisis developing around him.

'Don't you care if we drown?' they said, rousing him from sleep.

When he 'gave orders' to the wind and the waves and they obeyed him, their fear of drowning turned into fear of Jesus. They were quite simply awestruck: 'who is this man' they asked 'he gives orders to the wind and waves and they obey him?'

We do well to remember that grown men trembled in Jesus' presence.

Like the turning of water into wine, the calming of the storm was a creation miracle. It showed Jesus's mastery over creation. It showed that he was God-in-the-flesh. And it showed in the most striking way possible that he was in charge.

And that is the best news ever. When violent storms blow up suddenly in our lives the truth of God's sovereignty is, in the Prayer book's word, full of 'sweet, pleasant, and unspeakable comfort.'

From our family service at St James with the baptism of five children this morning , we went tonight to our neighbouring parish of St Philip's, Avondale Square, who were celebrating the 50th anniversary of the construction of their present building, which replaced a Victorian church destroyed by enemy action in the last war

Bishop Christopher preached and presided, Bermondsey MP Simon Hughes read the first lesson and St Philip's already high reputation for hospitality and wonderful catering reached new heights.

There was a warmth and generosity about the whole event - and the Shepherd's Pie was one of the best I ever tasted.