WHAT MANNER OF MAN IS THIS?

A Georgian Byzantine Icon of Christ’s Miracle “Peace Be Still!” Showing the Power of Christ Over the Created World

A Western Orthodox Homily for the Fourth Sunday After Epiphany

By Bp. Joseph (Ancient Church of the West) 

INTRODUCTION

Welcome to St. Alopen’s Church, a place where we strive to keep the vision of Far East Asian Orthodoxy alive with the beauties of a traditional Western Rite Liturgy. We are overwhelmed to have two old friends together with us here today, to celebrate the goodness of God together at the commemoration of this Lunar New Year! 

This week, we have heard of many unsettling events and been engaged in many difficult debates. Last week I wrote a theological meditation on the theologically erroneous sermon of Ms. Marian Budde, the “so-called bishop” of Washington. This week, we both defended the right of Fr. Calvin Robinson to make any symbols he chooses, but also critiques and deconstructed the nationalist socialist movement that foisted a false understanding of Christianity on Europe through pagan worship and false practices. Over the last few days, we have lamented at the senseless deaths of so many in plane crashes. 

My heart is broken for one of our old friends from a previous church, who lost their nephew in the military helicopter that fatally crashed into the passenger plane in Washington, DC. We pray for the Guance’s and the Shreve’s. In the midst of all these difficulties and tragedies, let us remember to pray for one another as we follow Christ’s love in wisdom and in truth. 

I will say these things to you now in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. 

SCRIPTURE READINGS 

OLD TESTAMENT READING: Deuteronomy 18:15-20

The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken, according to all that thou desiredst of the Lord thy God in Horeb in the day of the assembly, saying, Let me not hear again the voice of the Lord my God, neither let me see this great fire any more, that I die not. And the Lord said unto me, They have well spoken that which they have spoken. I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him. But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die. 

EPISTLE: Romans 13:1-7

Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? Do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: for he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. 

THE HOLY GOSPEL: St. Matthew 8:23-27

And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him! 

SERMON 

The Gospel appointed for this Fourth Sunday after Epiphany presents us with a scene of profound theological and existential significance: Christ rebuking the storm upon the sea, commanding the winds and the waves with a word, and bringing peace where moments before there had been chaos. “What manner of man is this,” the disciples marvel, “that even the winds and the sea obey him!” (Matt. 8:27). 

A PROPHET LIKE MOSES 

Our Old Testament lesson from Deuteronomy 18:15-20 recalls the Lord’s promise to raise up a Prophet like unto Moses. Moses was the mediator of the Old Covenant, the one who led Israel through the waters of the Red Sea and into the wilderness, who ascended Sinai to speak with God face to face. The promise of a greater Prophet finds its fulfillment in Christ, the New Moses, who does not merely part the waters but commands them by the word of His power. St. John Chrysostom, meditating on Christ’s dominion over nature, writes - 

"Behold how He manifests His divine authority: He does not call upon another to still the storm, but by His own word rebukes the sea, teaching us that He is not only greater than Moses, but the very Lord of Creation.” (Homily 28 on Matthew) 

Indeed, this miracle is more than a display of divine power - it is a revelation of divine identity. The disciples, steeped in the Old Testament, would have known that only God Himself commands the sea. The Psalmist declares, “Thou rulest the raging of the sea: when the waves thereof arise, Thou stillest them” (Ps. 89:9).” In stilling the storm, Christ does what only God can do. 

A MINISTER OF GOD FOR YOUR GOOD 

The Epistle from Romans 13:1-7 speaks of authority, not only divine but human, calling us to honor those who govern, for they are “ministers of God to thee for good.” This passage, often misunderstood, does not call for blind obedience to earthly rulers but rather emphasizes the divine purpose of just governance in the world. It is an accomplice to the ministry of transformation and re-creation that the Church does by the power of the Holy Spirit in the world. It is particularly poignant this week as we recall the witness of St. Charles, King and Martyr. 

Charles I, while arguing for the Mandate of Heaven and a Divine Right to Rule under God by virtue and grace, still  understood kingship not as tyranny but as a sacred trust. In his “Eikon Basilike”, he reflected upon his duty: 

“A subject’s duty is in obeying, but a king’s is in governing justly… A king is not bound by the laws as a slave, but as a shepherd by his care for the flock.”

Like Christ in today’s Gospel, Charles sought to calm the storm - though his was not of wind and wave, but of civil war and religious strife. His faithfulness to God cost him his life, but his martyrdom bore witness to the truth that all authority is accountable to God. 

FAITH IN THE MIDST OF THE STORM

Returning to the Gospel, we see in the disciples’ fear a mirror of our own frailty. How often do we, like them, cry out in desperation when the storms of life arise? And how often does our Lord rebuke us as He did them: “Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith?” (Matt. 8:26). 

St. Isaac the Assyrian, whom we also commemorated this last week, speaks of this fear in the spiritual life: 

“Fear is the frailty of those who have not yet perceived the power of God’s love. When the soul enters the harbor of divine trust, it no longer dreads the storm, for it knows it is held in the hand of the Almighty.” (Ascetical Homilies, 5) 

Thus, the true lesson of today’s Gospel is not merely that Christ can still the storm, but that He calls us to trust in Him amid the storm. Faith does not prevent trials, but it transforms them. As St. Isaac reminds us, the goal of the Christian life is not the absence of suffering, but the presence of God in the midst of it, which transforms everything in life from a stress and a trial leading to alienation and hell, to a process of refinement leading to true communion and fellowship with God and all those who love Him. 

SUMMARY

This theme is beautifully captured in the words of William Cowper, that great and Apostolic English poet, a hymn-writer from our blessed Patrimony: 

God moves in a mysterious way,

His wonders to perform;

He plants His footsteps in the sea,

And rides upon the storm.

So let us take courage, knowing that the One who stilled the waves still walks with us, stilling our hearts and minds in the love of His Holy Spirit. Though the storms of life rage, though the tempests of the world rise against us, we shall not be afraid. We shall not wander or wave, like unstable waves of the sea, but have solid and rock-like faith, a firm foundation in the midst of the storm! For Christ is in the ship with us, and He is Lord of all. 

As St. Augustine said in his great “Confessio” 1:1: “Thou hast made us for Thyself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless, until we find our rest in Thee!” 

Let us pray…

COLLECT 

O Lord, who stillest the storms and commandest the raging seas, grant unto us steadfast faith, that we may not be shaken by the tempests of this world, but resting in Thy love, may find our peace in Thee; who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.