The theme of the Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany is taken from the passage in the Gospel According to Saint Matthew in which Christ stills the storm. The arcana for this week is the (16) Tower. The structure of the tower = the ship and the scene represents the disciples presentiment of destruction, “Lord, we perish.” On another level, the (16) Tower also represents the rebuke of Christ, “Oh ye of little faith,” which serves to break open the rigid and defensive superstructure of the ego and opens them to up to a new vision of Christ consciousness.
The Collect
O God, who knowest us to be set in the midst of so many and great dangers, that by reason of the frailty of our nature we cannot always stand upright: Grant to us such strength and protection, as may support us in all dangers, and carry us through all temptations; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Old Testament Reading
Keep they heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
Proverbs 4: 23
New Testament Reading
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 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.
Matthew 8: 23-26
How to Overcome Waves of Doubt and Anxiety
Our Bible states that there arose a great tempest in the sea. Each man is a ship travelling on the ocean of life. All of us are immersed in the great universal sea of consciousness. All of us are travelling psychologically and spiritually to certain goals, objectives, and achievements. Sometimes the ship becomes covered with waves; this represents the race belief in failure, lack, and limitation. The storms of doubt, anxiety, and depression haunt us at times. The disciples said, “… Lord, save us: we perish.” The disciples represent your faculties of mind, your thoughts, feelings, and beliefs, plus mental attitudes and expectancy in general. You must train your faculties of mind to look inwardly and to have faith in all things good, a joyous expectancy of the best, and to have a firm belief inscribed in your heart that Infinite Intelligence will lead you out of your difficulty and show you the way. Have a firm conviction in the Power of God to solve problems and show you the way. This faith in God will enable you to walk over the waters of fear, doubt, worry, and imaginary dangers of all kinds.
J. Murphy, The Miracle of Mind Dynamics , p. 57
Liturgical Affirmation
Sic est omnis qui natus est ex spiritu.
Ego sum radix et genus David, stella splendida et matutina.
Dispergo superbos mente cordis sui.
Such is every one that is born of the Spirit: I am the root and offspring of David, the bright and morning star. I scatter the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
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