Stormy Times

When evening came, Jesus’ disciples went down to the sea, got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were terrified. But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” Then they wanted to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the land toward which they were going. The next day the crowd that had stayed on the other side of the sea saw that there had been only one boat there. They also saw that Jesus had not got into the boat with his disciples, but that his disciples had gone away alone. Then some boats from Tiberias came near the place where they had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. So when the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum looking for Jesus. When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” Jesus answered them, “Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal.” John 6:16-27

We live in stormy times. Not on boats on rough water, necessarily, but there is conflict everywhere and we are a very divided nation. Personally, many folks are facing or are in the midst of rough seas. There is much grief left over from Covid, and we ache to have things back the way they were. And things will never be the same post Covid. The Gospel tells us that Jesus was in the midst of the storm and helped the disciples get to the another side, and a new way of being. We too have Jesus here in our storms and are being invited to new shores and new ways of being.

Wondrous Creator, you pours the seas

between the mountains and lowland

you stir the wind and move the tides

always among us, always leading us.

Sometimes we forget you are here

we think this is the worst of times

yet even in the most dangerous moments

you are bringing calm and healing.

Let us set our hearts on new shores

following you in the stormy seas of life

let our faith and trust be always in your hands

and help us live as your disciples today. Amen.