Who's in Your Boat?

The Rev. Mason Waldhauser
Sermon for Proper 7, Year B
Psalm 107:1-3, 23-32
1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, * and his mercy endures for ever.
2 Let all those whom the Lord has redeemed proclaim * that he redeemed them from the hand of the foe.
3 He gathered them out of the lands; * from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south.
23 Some went down to the sea in ships * and plied their trade in deep waters;
24 They beheld the works of the Lord * and his wonders in the deep.
25 Then he spoke, and a stormy wind arose, * which tossed high the waves of the sea.
26 They mounted up to the heavens and fell back to the depths; * their hearts melted because of their peril.
27 They reeled and staggered like drunkards * and were at their wits' end.
28 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, * and he delivered them from their distress.
29 He stilled the storm to a whisper * and quieted the waves of the sea.
30 Then were they glad because of the calm, * and he brought them to the harbor they were bound for.
31 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his mercy * and the wonders he does for his children.
32 Let them exalt him in the congregation of the people * and praise him in the council of the elders.
Mark 4:35-41
When evening had come, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. But 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?” He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”