There Was Calm

Jesus said, “No one after lighting a lamp hides it under a jar, or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a lampstand, so that those who enter may see the light. For nothing is hidden that will not be disclosed, nor is anything secret that will not become known and come to light. Then pay attention to how you listen; for to those who have, more will be given; and from those who do not have, even what they seem to have will be taken away.” Then his mother and his brothers came to him, but they could not reach him because of the crowd. And he was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you.” But he said to them, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.”

One day he got into a boat with his disciples, and he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side of the lake.” So they put out, and while they were sailing he fell asleep. A windstorm swept down on the lake, and the boat was filling with water, and they were in danger. They went to him and woke him up, shouting, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And he woke up and rebuked the wind and the raging waves; they ceased, and there was a calm. He said to them, “Where is your faith?” They were afraid and amazed, and said to one another, “Who then is this, that he commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him?” Luke 8:16-25 

We used to lined our chairs up at the kitchen window and watch the storms roll across the bay. The lightening and the thunder surrounded us, but we were safe.  I have so often headed to the beach when the weather is rough to catch the big waves. It is one thing to be safely on shore and another to be caught up in the midst of it. Rocking and rolling on the waves is a terrifying event, even to the most seasoned of sailors. We all can be sailing along in life and be hit by storms we cannot handle. 

Jesus has been teaching in the midst of a crowd and welcomes all those who listen to be his family. We moved from the crowd to the intimacy of his closest friends on a boat. The storm hits while he is sleeping. Despite all the miracles they have seen, they are sure they are doomed this night. We have all had those moments when our doom seems moments away. Yet our Gospel reminds us that Jesus is in the midst of al of our terrors and storms.

Today I ask God to help me be faithful in the midst of the storms. May we seek the calm of God's love in the midsts of our trials and terrors, so that we can help those who cannot see the shore, who fear surviving another storm.