Help us to abandon our worries and fears

30Jun
And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. A windstorm arose on the sea, so great that the boast was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him up, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, you of little faith?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a dead calm. They were amazed, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?”
-Matthew 8:23-27


Growing up on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi, my family spent a lot time on the water. My dad had a great boat that was big enough to go deep sea fishing. We would spend Saturdays heading to the barrier islands to drag seine nets for bait, to wade fish, beach comb for shells and if you were lucky, find a sand dollar or two. 


The weather was pretty cooperative most of the time, but we regularly encountered storms, coming or going. The fear was real. We’d get caught in blinding rain and deep swells with lightning all around us. Just trying to outrun it or simply make it home, was treacherous at best. 


And just living near the Gulf of Mexico, comes with its own hazards. Anyone who has experienced a hurricane, knows that the fear is real. Enduring hours of rain and wind and rising waters, not knowing when it’s going to end, is something you never forget.


In today’s gospel, we have the familiar story of Jesus with his disciples, out on the lake. It was obviously a popular story, because it’s told in three of the four gospels. Jesus has been very busy up to this point in his ministry and his disciples have witnessed a lot of miracles. Jesus has cast out unclean spirits, cured lepers, made the lame to walk, and the blind to see. 


At this point in the gospel story, Jesus has been teaching and preaching to large crowds at the edge of the lake in a boat. Parable after parable he shared with them, trying to explain the Kingdom. He was exhausted! He asked the disciples to take him in the boat to the other side of the lake. On the way, he just wanted to lie down and rest for awhile. 


Some of these disciples were fishermen and were probably used to storms, but this one was different. The fear was real. But the men on board still didn’t realize who their rabboni or teacher really was. They didn’t trust their belief in Him.


When do we have our doubts? My family has been through loss, illness, divorce and death. And during each of these chapters the fear was real. Did I doubt Christ’s presence? Was he there in the enduring pain, or the silence of those sleepless nights? I know he was there. Was my fear real? Absolutely. But in our witness to his love and presence, we can cling to Him everyday, and especially during the storms of our lives. 


Musical Reflection - It Is Well - Kristene DiMarco


Precious God our Father, help us to remember that in our times of consolation as well as desolation you are with us. Help us abandon our worries and fears and rely on you presence in our lives. Let our faith and trust in You be strong. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.

Fear

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