Calming the Storm Within

Praying, Church of the Holy Sepulchre

1 John 4:19 – 5:4
There are no words adequate enough to describe the despicable events we witnessed at the Capitol one year ago today, much less deal with the emotions we all felt and continue to feel right now. Even now, the memories are vivid and the emotions are raw and traumatic. Lives were changed; lives were lost in the violence and chaos of that day. And we still struggle with the aftermath on ourselves and our country.

Yesterday’s Gospel spoke of Jesus calming the storm and I connected that miracle with the storm we are all experiencing in dealing with the pandemic. I suggested then that we are all in the same storm but in different boats, dealing with the pandemic in our own unique personal and family situations. Today we remember a different storm. But if we are to find any solace or hope, we must deal with this tragedy as one. As Americans and as Christians we are all in the same storm! We must join together – in reflecting on Scripture, in offering prayer. in trusting in the Lord and in hoping for a brighter, more peaceful tomorrow.

So take some time today to reflect on the words of today’s First Reading:

“This is the commandment we have from him:

Whoever loves God must also love his brother.

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is begotten by God,

and everyone who loves the Father

loves also the one begotten by him.

In this way we know that we love the children of God

when we love God and obey his commandments.

For the love of God is this,

that we keep his commandments.

And his commandments are not burdensome”

And then pray in the words of St. Francis:

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:

where there is hatred, let me sow love;

where there is injury, pardon;

where there is doubt, faith;

where there is despair, hope;

where there is darkness, light;

where there is sadness, joy.

O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek

to be consoled as to console,

to be understood as to understand,

to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive,

it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

A little something to lift your spirits!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lR1Hk0FVi_k&list=LL&index=44

Have Faith! Have Hope! Be Love! Amen! Aho!

Weathering the Storm

Boat Chapel, Magdala, Sea of Galilee

Mark 6:45-52

A few years ago we went on a summer vacation along with our daughter, son-in-law and 2 grandsons. Early one morning we chartered a boat to go fishing on Lake Michigan. Our daughter had never had the experience before and it turned out to be quite the adventure. It was not a calm lake that morning; it was really rough and choppy and the boat really rocked from side to side. By the time it was Jaime’s turn to grab the rod and reel in a fish, she had turned a lovely shade of green. We kept insisting that we would take the rod and she could go and sit down. But she utterly refused; she was determined to bring in that fish. And she did! In spite of being very sea-sick, she did! That was not a time for the weak of stomach!

The Gospel today tells of another rough time on the water, on the Sea of Galilee. Jesus has just fed the 5,000 with loaves and fish. And He has sent the disciples on ahead across the Sea. We have been blessed to have taken a boat on the Sea of Galilee 3 times; every time it was calm and the water was like glass. But the Sea has a reputation for storms quickly appearing. And that is what happens here. And when Jesus sees that they are in trouble, He walks on the water to them and calms the sea and the disciples – do not be afraid!

You would think the disciples would marvel and express their wonder at all this. And yet the Gospel says “their hearts were hardened.” After the miracle of the loaves and fishes, after calming the storm and walking on water, their reaction seems to be a refusal to believe! They aren’t joyful or grateful; they are terrified, not sure what to make of what is happening!

These days it is easy to fall into a state of worry and anxiety, fear and uncertainty. As the numbers for positive Covid tests continue to skyrocket, not to mention hospitalizations, it is very difficult to maintain any sort of optimism. Even when something good, for a change, happens, we seem reluctant to crack a smile or breathe a sigh of relief. In the end, God asks one thing of us – trust Him! Good or bad, happy or sad, trust Him. Someone once said that we are all in the same boat. I beg to differ! We are all in the same storm! But we are all in a different boat, dealing with our own concerns and issues. Trust in the Lord! Be confident that He has the power to calm our storms and to give us the strength to weather the rough seas.

Food for Thought

Mark 6:34-44

The Fields of Galilee

I am guessing we all grew up with 2 dining tables on special occasions – adults table in the dining room and kids table in the kitchen. And I couldn’t wait til I ‘graduated’ to the adult table. I thought it would be something special – better food, more food, more dessert! But when I did finally move, I realized I was expected to talk and listen, that there was more going on than just eating, and then I would eat as quickly as I could and then try to get excused as soon as I could

I enjoy spending time with 2 grandsons, especially when they were younger and we could sit, share a meal and talk! But it was a lot easier when they were younger. These days the boys bring their phones, their ipads, their headphones and all we do is eat! So before the isolation hit and we were still able to eat together, we instituted the ‘no electronics’ rule at the dinner table. Too often we think the food will bring us together and that the conversation will follow naturally.

Today’s Gospel – we also hear about conversation and food. But it’s not the same – the crowd of people have come to hear Jesus speak – there is no thought of food, they are so taken by his words that they lose track of time and human needs. They feed off his words of comfort and hope. And then, because of his compassion, they all share a meal

So it is every time we attend Mass – we listen to the word of God, Old Testament, New Testament Letter and Gospel. And after reflecting on the Word, we then share a meal – Jesus’ gift of His body and blood

And that is what the celebration of the Mass is – the Word of God for us to reflect on & incorporate into our lives and the opportunity to share the Eucharist, a gift of Jesus’ love and compassion. Nourished by that gift, we are then all called to demonstrate that same love and compassion in our daily lives