…From Your Pastor’s Desk
“Be not Afraid. I go before you always. Come follow me, and I will give you rest”. Great words from a song written by Bob Dufford, S.J. The beginning of the second verse is very poignant for today’s Gospel: “If you pass through raging waters in the sea, you shall not drown…”
The disciples in today’s gospel were on the Sea of Galilee when a violent storm occurred – yet Jesus slept soundly. They were terrified, so, they awakened Him asking for help. They had seen Him work other miracles and believed he could calm the raging storm. Their fears were certainly justified.
Fear is applicable not only in times of great crisis but also in times of ordinary crisis, for fear indeed plays a great part in our lives. Like for example, if we do not have enough money to buy our daily food and other basic needs. Or, if we are lost in the dark and cannot find our way.
We are afraid of many things, some legitimately, for self-preservation. But some also unwarranted. What is it that we are afraid of? If we are overly afraid of something, our focus will be on that something and we may tend to forget the most important thing in our lives and that is: doing our part as followers of Christ and not to be afraid because, just as he assured his disciples those words of assurance are still addressed to us today.
As we hear of Peter’s boat being tossed about dangerously by these stormy waves, we can readily think of the Church in the stresses and tensions of its existence in the world. Perhaps we are tempted to think that the Lord has no interest in us, he is neglecting us and he is asleep. We sometimes fall into fatalism by saying: “It must be God’s Will.” Rather. Let us call upon the words of Jesus: “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?” Did they stop to think that he was with them in the same boat?
He is with us in ours as well, fulfilling his promise to be with us always.
Hmmm… did you ever think of it that way?
Yours in Faith,
Father Ron
