The Mystical Ship, Part 1: Aquinas’ Homily Notes on Matt 8:23

THE MYSTICAL SHIP (Part I)
FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY.
“And when He was entered into a ship His disciples followed Him.”
Matt 8:23.

FOUR things are to be considered in this Gospel. Firstly, the entering of Christ and His disciples into a ship. Secondly, the “great tempest in the sea.” Thirdly, the prayer of His disciples “Lord save us, we perish.” Fourthly, the obedience
of the storm to the command of Christ “There was a great calm.”

Morally, we are taught also four things. Firstly, to enter into holiness of life. Secondly, that temptations rage after we have entered. Thirdly, in our temptation to cry unto the Lord. Fourthly, to look for a calm according to His
will.

I. On the first head it is to be noted, (1) That he enters into a ship who follows a holy life S. Matt 9:1, “He entered into a ship and came into His own city,” just as by holiness of life man passes over and comes to his heavenly city. In the following Homily it will be explained why a holy life is likened unto a ship. (2) The disturbance of the sea by the tempest represents the temptations which rise up against holiness Sirach 2:1, “Son, when thou comest to the Service of God stand in justice and in fear, and prepare thy soul for temptation.” (3) The cry of the disciples in the tempest is the prayer of the saints in tribulations and temptations Ps 120:1, “In my distress I cried unto the Lord, and He heard me.” (4) The calm of the tempest is the cessation of temptation Tobit 3:22,
“After a storm Thou makest a calm.” Of these four Ps 69:3, 4, 30 , “I am come into deep waters”  in the ship of holiness, behold the first; “The floods overflow me,” behold the second; “I am weary of my crying,” behold the third; “Thy salvation, O God, set me up on high” above my temptations, behold the fourth.

II. On the second head it is to be noted that the tempest in the sea arose from the winds. Holy Scripture speaks of four winds when temptation arises, and trouble to the saints. Firstly, from the infestation of demons: this is a cold wind Sirach 43:22, “The cold north wind bloweth, and the water congealeth into crystal.” Secondly, from the perverseness of heretics: this is a blasting wind Gen 41:6, 7, “Seven thin ears and blasted with the east wind sprung up
after them,” and “devoured the seven rank and full ears.” Thirdly, from the cruelty of tyrants: this is a vehement wind Job 1:19, “Behold there came a great wind from the wilderness.” Fourthly, from the malignity of false Christians: this is a burning wind Sirach 11:4, “He that observeth the wind shall not sow.” Of these four, Dan 7:2 “The four winds of heaven strove upon the great sea.”

III. On the third head it is to be noted that in the prayer of the Apostles there were three things which moved the Lord to help them. Firstly, because they besought Him instantly, “they awoke Him.” Secondly, they asked humbly, “Lord.” Thirdly, because they prayed for a useful thing, “Save us.” Of (1), Rom 12:12. “Continuing instant in prayer;” of (2), S. Luke 18:13, 14, “The prayer of the humble publican penetrated Heaven itself;” of (3), S. John 16:24, “Ask and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.”  Of these three, S. Matt 7:7 “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.”  “Ask” humbly, and ye shall receive; “seek” what is profitable, and “ye shall find;” “knock” continually, and the Kingdom of Heaven shall be opened unto you. Unto which Kingdom may we be brought.