Reflection for 19th Sunday of Ordinary Time

You may have heard the story about a man who gets too close to the edge of the Grand Canyon, loses his balance, and slips over the edge. Just before falling 1000 feet, he grabs on to a root sticking out from the edge. "Help me!" He hollers. "Is there anyone up there? Help me! Save me! Is there anyone up there?" A voice answers, "I am the Lord. I can save you. Do you believe in me? Do you really want me to help you?" "Oh yes, Lord, I believe in you, more than you'll ever know. Please help me." "OK," the Lord says. "I'll save you. Now, let go." "What?!" "Just let go of that root you're holding on to, and I'll save you. You have to trust me." The man pauses a moment, and then shouts out, "Is there anyone else out there?!"

In the Gospel, we find the disciples caught in the middle of the lake in a bad storm. The waves are rolling, the wind is blowing, they are afraid of sinking. Remember, they were out there because Jesus told them – really commanded them – to get in the boat and cross the lake. They are doing exactly what Jesus told them to do, and by being obedient to him, they discover themselves in peril. Do faith and obedience always mean smooth sailing in life? Apparently not. Storms also come to good people who are doing what God wants them to do. And sometimes that can challenge our faith. Where does our faith fit in during the difficult times, the times of testing, the times of storms? People often quickly turn to God in times of crisis. After the crisis is over, they often feel guilty that it took a crisis for them to turn to God. But that’s not all bad. Difficulties are prime opportunities of experiencing God as one who saves. Like Peter, when we are frightened and sinking, we call out to God to save us. But at other times in our life, are we a person of little faith?

Good old Peter. He says, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” IF it is you! He still doubts. Have you ever said, “Lord, IF you are there” when in the midst of a storm? “Come,” says Jesus. He challenges more than Peter’s courage; he challenges his faith. And what happens? Peter walks on the water, and as long as he keeps his eyes on Jesus, all is well. But then he becomes frightened; his faith and trust are replaced by fear, and he begins to sink. He cries out, “Lord, save me.”

Have you ever been there? Have you ever felt like you were sinking? Lord, save me. It is the cry of every human being when we are confronted with that which is beyond our strength, beyond our ability, beyond our control. Most of us will face a storm-tossed sea at some point in our lives. Perhaps you have already been caught in several storms – dark clouds and rough waters because of troubles in your marriage, illness in your family, the death of a spouse or child, unemployment and financial struggles, or intense loneliness. Those of us who cannot go to Church because of Covid-19 can feel the storm. Parents worry about what kind of deep water their children will get themselves into. Kids can find themselves in over their heads; the friends they first liked are into crazy things that might drag them down too. Drowning is a real possibility. It can be easy to forget that to all of us, when we are caught in the storm, comes Jesus himself in a very intimate, personal way. “Take courage,” he says, “It is I. Do not be afraid”

In the first reading, God tells Elijah to stand outside because He will be passing by. Elijah looks for the Lord; he does not find the Lord in the wind, or the rocks, or the earthquake, or in fire. He finds the Lord in a tiny whispering sound. Isn’t that beautiful – a tiny whispering sound. A voice strong enough to strengthen frightened prophets comes in a whisper. The Gospel is an invitation to come to Jesus and enter his kingdom, not because he walks on water, not because he is a great miracle worker, but because he is the Word, the Son of God – a word that often comes to us in a whisper.

But us being caught in the storm is not the only message of this Gospel. Our challenge is to also see in this Gospel the way we might encounter Jesus in everyday life, not as one walking on water but as one who dwells in those in need. We are called to see Jesus in anyone who is calling out for help, anyone who is desperately holding on, anyone who seems to be drowning in the chaos of life. We are called to extend our hand to those who are sinking and lift them back into the boat. And when we do that, our response to those in need is an act of homage to God. And so, when the storms of life come crashing in, when the winds envelop you and the waves crash at your feet – do not be afraid, have faith, believe. God might ask you to let go. And that can be hard to do. But hear God in his whispering voice, “Be not afraid, I go before you always, come follow me, and I will give you rest.”

If you have a brief faith reflection on today’s reading that you would like to share, please send it to me at deaconruss@holyspiritunoh.org.