Homily

Today the Gospel speaks to something within each of us that only on certain occasions do we entertain. It speaks to a level of our very being that we fear and try to hide from. If we enter deeply into its mystery, we are afraid that we will lose ourselves. It is imaged in the chaos of the squall that was about to capsize the boat the apostles were in.

If we spend a moment, each of us can conjure up something in our lives, some chaos, some disorder, some sin that we fear. If we spend a moment, we can conjure up some journey that required us to move from our place of comfort to a place that is unknown. Yet, we know that we must “cross to the other side.” We might recall that during our journey, the waves of doubt, disillusionment, anger, hatred, or fear rose and threatened to sink us... destroy us. We fear that our plans won’t work, our love will not be returned, our relationship might end, or that the evil one will truly win. Sometimes, we might even recourse to God as the Apostles did. We might ask him why he isn’t there to help us. We ask, and sometime we hear nothing, we don’t see a response, and so we get angry. Why does he seem unconcerned? How can he rest when we are here frantically trying to keep our boat afloat? We cry out, “Do you not care, God?” We are just like the Apostles. And Jesus? Well, Jesus is just himself. Does he truly not care? Does he truly do nothing?

That is the first part of the event in the Gospel. The second is quick and to the point. Jesus’ words jump out of the pages today and challenge us all. He asks calmly and confidently, “Why are you terrified? Do you not have faith?” Such a question is like an arrow piercing our heart. “Yes, Lord. We believe. But...” And we doubt again. Jesus, with a commanding word, with a confident power stills the storm. He saves his apostles who were feeble in faith. Can he do it again for us? For you?

Job, in the first reading also questioned God for a moment. But we are reminded of God’s power. The sea, for the people of the Bible, was a place of darkness and evil. So, torrents and storms were manifestations of evil. But, God in both of these Scriptures demonstrates that he has power over all of these things.

So, if we spend a moment and think about these fears we have, then spend time also remembering that God loves us and his love will take care of all our needs, then no matter what storms may come our way, we know will not be destroyed. Not even death has the ultimate grip on our destiny. God seal this reality by sending his Son. And because he died and rose, we too can follow in his path.

The question is, do you believe that God can calm your fears and still your storms? The Church stands as a witness that he can. So, let us give thanks to the Lord for his love is everlasting. He will never leave us. His will always love us. So, do not fear.