Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar led a group of 52 clergy and laity on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land from Feb. 19 to March 1, 2018. In this installment, the pilgrims worship aboard a boat on the Sea of Galilee.
 

“Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, ‘Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!’ He replied, ‘You of little faith, why are you so afraid?’ Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. The men were amazed and asked, ‘What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!’” - Matthew 8:23-27

 
Though the boat did not resemble the one used by Jesus and the disciples, pilgrims were afloat on the Sea of Galilee – a place Bishop LaTrelle Easterling described as a “popular site to watch Jesus be Jesus” – for worship on the morning of Feb. 25, 2018.

The sun was shining and the waters were calm as Bishop Easterling preached. But Galilee is known for sudden violent

storms, and like in life, “stuff happens,” the bishop said. And we, just like the crowds that gathered to hear Jesus, seek answers.

In this place, where Jesus spent much of his ministry, Bishop Easterling said, “He poured forth the word of God to hungry souls.”

Read more stories about the 2018 Holy Land Pilgrimage

“There are always, beloved, souls looking for an answer; souls waiting to be saved, even when they don’t admit it,” she said. “There are always people wondering: ‘Is there a word from the Lord?’”

The answer, Bishop Easterling said, is yes, and it will come as a “still, small voice” in the midst of whatever storm or troubles we face.

“Jesus awakens and speaks into our situation: ‘Peace. Be still.'”