"Lord, save me!"
The Word: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/081323.cfm
This Sunday, our readings seem to be a combination of both turmoil and peace. On the one hand, we see the prophet Elijah standing on the mountain listening for God in the midst of violent natural forces: strong and heavy rock crushing wind, an earthquake, a roaring fire – but God is not in any of those. He whispers in Elijah’s ear a soft sound and the prophet covers his face in respect. The message is that God is not always where you would expect to find him nor does he prefer to be a frightening force.
On the other hand, Peter and
the disciples are caught in a fishing boat, a familiar place for them, in the
midst of a driving wind and rough seas, terrified for their lives with no
protection. They were not fishing but rather followed the order of Jesus to get
in the boat after the multiplication of the loaves. He had dismissed the crowd, sent the
disciples off in the boat to the other side of the lake, then went off to pray
without them. An unsettling experience no doubt for these men who always felt
vulnerable if Jesus was not present. Although they well knew the waters of
Galilee it likely seemed odd that he would not accompany them.
In the darkness of the
night, around 3 a.m., their fears were confirmed as wind and wave began to push
back and Jesus came walking silently and calmly on the turbulent waters in the
midst of a storm!
They were understandably
frightened at the vision they saw on the water. It must be a spirit! Once
identified, at Peter's request, Jesus calls simply, "Come" on the
water. With all good intention despite
Peter’s short lived then failed attempt, Jesus got in the boat and the wind
died down. “It is I, do not be afraid.”
It strikes me these are
powerful images which test both our faith and our preconceptions of God. I think the real miracle here is not so much
that Jesus walked on the rolling waves.
We know who he is and what he can do as God by simply willing it. The real astounding miracle is Peter’s
astounding trust, as weak as it was. The ever sincere and impulsive Peter cries
out to Jesus, "let me walk like you!" So to test his true faith Jesus
invites Peter to join him, yet he knows his inherent weakness. While the boat symbolizes the Church and the
future turbulent times it will experience, Peter is a sign of all of us.
Today we understand the
natural law of in most situations. The powers of nature are not particularly
mysterious anymore as scientists can determine what and when many things will
happen. But the "why" question is not answered by science. We can see certain conditions that bring an
expected result but why God allows such things may be answered only by faith
which gives deeper meaning and purpose to our lives. What does this mean for
us? I feel we live now in a culture of fear but we're called to be a people of
faith. In the midst of the fear and division of our day, which seems to be
increasingly threatening to peace, we still hear the call of Jesus to “come”
and to keep our eyes on him.
So, while it seems that Elijah
and the frightened disciples in the boat were helpless victims of natural
forces these stories hold a deeper reminder for us. Wind and fire, waves
tossing into boats as the fishermen try to bail out the water before they sink
is not really the main point of the story.
Turbulence, yes, but how do we respond in those rough time? Do we give in to fear and hopelessness? Are
we angry at God as to why he would allow such a thing in our lives? Do we take
our eyes, mind and heart off the One who can calm the seas as he invites us to
walk above the waves and to trust that with him, all will ultimately be
well?
The tiny whispering sound in
Elijah’s ear and Jesus’ own calm and silent unexpected display of divine power
over his own creation is the key. That Peter walked on water toward Jesus, even
for a short time, shows what faith can produce in us when we trust in the
Lord's promise, "come." Can you imagine what the reaction of the
disciples would have been if Peter had made it all the way and never sank?
Peter at least understood the power that Jesus had and with a great act of love
and trust, began to walk. And, later
continued to walk mightily in his ways. Is
God just a ghostly apparition for us or do we truly see and hear him in our
lives now?
Is it too much to expect
that our Lord really is with us in moments that we may find especially trying:
the sudden loss of a loved one; the separation of divorce, bad news from the
doctor, the loss of a job for no clear reason, a son or daughter who decides to
leave the Church all together, a desperately alcoholic husband or wife who
simply lives in constant denial while the innocent suffer in the family.
We don’t ever have to
apologize for being Catholic and for following the teachings of our faith no
matter how unpopular they may be. We can
attend Mass despite even our neighbors or family who may consider us
excessively religious. We can see not
just the sins of the Church but the heroic virtues and good works done in the
name of the Gospel.
We can walk on all kinds of
water, even now, if we only trust and pray even when we doubt. “Keep your eyes on me,” Jesus calls. It’s not
too much to ask. “Come” Jesus says –
“Follow me.” Not fear but faith.
---------------------------------------------
Almighty ever-living God, whom, taught by the Holy Spirit,
we dare to call our Father, bring, we pray to perfection
in our hearts the spirit of adoption as your
sons and daughters, that we may merit to
enter into the inheritance which you have
promised.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the
unity of the Holy Spirit, God
for ever and ever.
(- Collect of Mass -)
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