Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore, was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it.
More than a few years ago a group of us set out to explore the Boundary Waters Canoe Area of northern Minnesota. Motors were banned on these lakes; the only effective transport was by canoe, powered by backs, shoulders, arms, and hands. Occasionally we had no choice but to head directly into the wind against the choppy waves. Progress was slow and tedious. There were times when our vacation was anything but restful.
We soon discovered the principle of "lee side." When the wind was high and blowing against our direction, we headed for the lee shore, which was sheltered from the wind by land and trees. In that safer place, we could make headway, even if it wasn't the shortest way to our destination.
Today's gospel describes a crisis of the early church with the simile of a storm at sea. . There are no lights in the middle of the sea at night during a storm. It might be easier for our disciples to go with the wind, but that would take them nowhere they want to go. And it might swamp the boat. To survive they must continually turn the prow into the wind and pull the oars against the waves if they have any hope of returning to their homes and families.
The Lord's appearance is unexpected and ghostly as he comes out of the misty darkness. He might be the Angel of Death coming at them, a spirit one sees only once in life. "This can't be good!" some must have thought before they heard his familiar voice and recognized his face.
Peter's salute -- “Lord, if it is you,..." -- indicates their mystification. We'll see those lingering doubts even in the last verses of Matthew's gospel, "When they saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted. (28:17)
Faith, by its very nature, is accompanied by doubt. I might have a firm grasp of the facts but faith concerns one's confidence in a person. Seeing is not believing in matters of the Spirit. Even as we "see" the Lord we might wonder if it is truly him. The confidence of faith reflects both my trust in the Lord and assurance about myself.
At this point in the Gospel story, Saint Peter's faith is sure of neither. It is real but distractible. Keeping his eyes fixed on Jesus as you would on a lamp in a dark place, the chief disciples walks on the troubled, turbulent water of the sea.
Today's gospel describes the testing of a fledgling church in the troubled waters of stormy political, economic, and social circumstances. The panicked reaction of the disciples to the Lord's appearance on the water reflects the fear we feel today. Every election year has its own apocalyptic feeling as we face an uncertain future and decide which direction we should go. We realize again, "We're in this together." And our decision will have irreversible consequences for ourselves and our children for generations to come.
As a Church we have been sorely tested already, during the past several years. I won't even try to list all the challenges. They are religious, political, ideological, economic, and social; and all are spiritual. The pandemic has flooded all these categories and engaged nearly everyone personally.
During this troubled time we must rely all the more on our faith, which is not a knowledge of certain certainties but a practice of keeping one's gaze resolutely on the Lord, as you would on a lamp in a dark place, until day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.
No comments:
Post a Comment
I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.