One of the most frightening times in my early life happened when I was on a road trip from Chicago to a resort in Wisconsin in a rain storm with a raging wind from a tornado that tore off my windshield wipers. In addition to that, the bottom of the tornado’s funnel cloud touched land about 50 feet from me and forced the car to the side of the road. To say the least, I was frantically praying to God during this dark time asking Him to protect me from harm.
Is this the same as Mark’s Gospel story today of the fishing boat with Jesus and the Apostles being battered by a raging storm? Yes, in that I was afraid of the outcome as were the Apostles and, no, because Jesus was not in the passenger seat next to me asleep. He was, however, in my mind and heart as the only Person I could call on to help me through this fearful time.
Our lives are filled with multiple storms as shared in our first reading from the Book of Job and in St. Mark’s Gospel. In the In the Book of Job, God allowed Satan to tempt Job, a righteous man, in every way but death to Job. He lost his family, save his wife, all that he owned and suffered from multiple physical ailments. Job trusted in God and was returned to a full life with a new family, twice his wealth and in the years he lived.
Like Job, we are often surprised in life by experiences that act like storms. We are forced to make uncomfortable decisions when it comes to illnesses, loss of loved ones, our jobs, divorces, personal relationships, accidents, depression, hopelessness and a number of other situations that change our lives. We are faced with a dilemma to choose between trusting God in faith or to be overcome with fear that may or may not lead to an accepted solution.
A song written by Robert Wadsworth Lowry in 1868, “How Can I Keep from Singing,” gives us an insight how we need to address difficulties in our lives. The refrain reads: “No storm can shake my inmost calm while to that refuge clinging; since Christ is Lord of heaven and earth, how can I keep from singing”? It is an answer to Christ’s Gospel question to the Apostles: “Do you not yet have faith”?
It is obvious from our Gospel today that Jesus is using the storm as a teaching moment for the Apostles as it regards faith and trust. Without such moments in our life, we find it difficult to discern what path we need to follow in our life’s journey. It is a reminder to us that Jesus also journeyed through harrowing storms as he was constantly challenged by the Pharisees, Sadducees, scribes, chief priests and elders in His teachings and healings of those in need.
Only our faith and hope lead us to God and keeps us closer to Him. Our life’s journey across the sea of time to the shore of eternity is not a smooth or calm crossing for anyone. This is the will of God. Jesus has given us the promise that He will be with us till the end of times taking care of us and protecting us from the various storms we face. We must not expect to get from life what it cannot give. Instead, we must use what it gives us, pleasant and unpleasant, light and darkness to change our patterns of failure into ones of success by trusting in God and His ways.
Whether we are currently in a dilemma or are facing an on-coming one, in addition to our prayers to God, let us also remember Robert Lowry’s song: “How can I keep from singing.” The refrain will remind us of God’s love for us in all our struggles and we can put aside fear and select faith which offers better choices and outcomes. Fear not! God’s love gives us faith to trust in His ways.
Reading 1: Job 38: 1, 8-11
Reading 2: Second Corinthians 5: 14-17
Gospel: Mark 4: 35-41
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