ACC ~ Mark 4 v38

THE BARK OF THE CHURCH

ORIGEN: For as many as are in the little ship of faith are sailing with the Lord; as many as are in the bark of holy church will voyage with the Lord across this wave-tossed life; though the Lord himself may sleep in holy quiet, he is but watching your patience and endurance: looking forward to the repentance, and to the conversion of those who have sinned. Come then to him eagerly, instant in prayer. FRAGMENTS ON MATTHEW 3.3. [1]

[1] GCS 41.1:260; SSGF 1:320.

WHO WAS ASLEEP?

GREGORY NAZIANZEN: He was tired [1] —yet he is the “rest” of the weary and the burdened. [2] He was overcome by heavy sleep [3] —yet he goes lightly over the sea, rebukes the winds, and relieves the drowning Peter. [4] ORATION 29, ON THE SON 20. [5]

[1] Jn 4:6.

[2] Mt 11:28.

[3] Mt 8:24; Mk 4:38; Lk 8:23.

[4] Cf. Mt 8:26; 14:25-32; Mk 4:39; 6:48-51; Lk 8:24; Jn 6:19-21.

[5] TLG 2022.003, 20.7-10; FGFR 258-59. This is the God-man, who according to his humanity is able to sleep and according to his divinity is able to still the storm.

SHARPENING THEIR PERCEPTIONS

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: And so he sleeps, leaving them in fear, in which their senses would be sharpened to perceive the significance of what was to come. For no one feels what takes place in another’s body as acutely as that which happens in his own. COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 8.5.22. [1]

[1] TLG 4090.108, 72.629.24-30; SSGF 1:324.