Have
you ever noticed that it’s often in our most challenging times that we feel
God’s presence most clearly? I’m not saying it should be this way or that God
only appears when we most need him. Rather, I think there is just something
about significant challenges and trials that clarify our priorities and cut
through the many distractions of everyday life that prevent us from seeing God
more clearly. What strikes me in this passage (Matthew 14:22-33) is how it reveals something
deeply true about our humanity, and perhaps the behavior of his disciples.
While I know that I often overlook God’s presence when all is well, but I have
no problem calling out to him when things take a more difficult turn and are
not going so well. Yes, I know it’s all a part of our transformative journey in
which we desire to grow in our quest to be more closely united with God. But
let’s face it, it’s so much easier when times are peaceful and pleasant.
Looking
back over these months of distancing, confinement, aggravated by racial unrest
and violence, I realize how our faith is a little like a yo-yo or see-saw, up
one day, down the other. Our initial fear of the early unknown had us praying
and hungry for God’s comfort. I remember what solace we took in our solitary
Easter Sunday video Mass hovered round the computer, and our communal remote
prayer sessions giving us some sense of connection. Ana when after time a
period of time, when everything looked like it was getting better, our fear
subsided somewhat…only to be shaken again by resurgence, anarchy and issues of
health in our midst and. So, here we are, right back on our knees imploring God’s
help. When tragedy strikes in the form of personal loss, illness, the fracture
of a relationship, or some mistake we’ve made, our ongoing need for God becomes
painfully clear.
Only
last week Isaiah (55:1-33) reminded us that
from the beginning of our creation God desired that we flourish and thrive and
while we know the journey back to Him is not easy and requires effort on our part, do we sometimes just sit back
and wait for life to happen? Or, or do we step out of our “boat” like Peter,
and make it happen? Either way, we often forget how much we depend on God and
when we do, our egos dismiss Him: “it’s OK, I got this one.”. All too often we
take comfort in our modest success and assume that we no longer need Him now. We
forget how much God is intimately wrapped up in every aspect of our lives… and
wants to be. As a reminder of God’s perennial presence Carl Jung had the
following reminder carved over the entrance to his home in Zurich,
And
what does this story say about Peter? What model does this simple man provide
for us? Despite the danger that surrounded him, he was willing to leave the
boat and meet Jesus where he was. And when he began to think and tried to take
control instead of surrendering his fear to God, he faltered…yet somehow he
knew he would be OK as he reached out to Jesus. Oh, how I envy Peter.
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