We Are Perishing

‘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 gale 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

Life is full of storms and horrifying moments. We often feel as if God was asleep when we were suffering, when we were drowning or when our loved ones are in trouble. We are reminded today that Jesus, when fully human, commanded the winds and the waves. How much more then, is the Divine power, the Divine love, the Divine care. When the disciples cried out to Jesus, he tamped down the storm.  May we like wise cry out to him in prayer when the storms arise.

Wondrous Creator, you brought forth life

from the raging waters and the fragile planet

you walked the duty roads and fed the people

you alone set them free and you set us free as well.

When the storms surround us we feel abandoned

yet you are with us in every treacherous journey

you feel the wind and the rocking of our boats

and hold back the storm so we might live again

Help us to turn to you in storms and fair weather

let our breathing in and out be prayers to you

we need your presence every minute and hour

help our human weakness with your strong love. Amen.