Fr Xavier Writes 23rd June 2024
It’s an unnerving experience to be caught in a small boat when, without warning, the sea suddenly changes from peaceful blue waters to angry mountainous waves. The waters of the sea are so powerful that it can become a frightening ordeal. We can understand the plight of the apostles in the storm-tossed boat. In desperation, they turn to Jesus, who is asleep in the boat, seemingly unaware of the danger, and indifferent to their peril. With angry shouts they awaken him, ‘Master, do you not care that we are going down?’
The story has a thoroughly modern ring to it. We can easily make a connection between the storm at sea and the trials and sufferings of our own lives. Troubles, disappointments and misfortunes come our way from time to time and severely test our faith. As parents, it’s hard to stand by and watch our children make a mess of their lives, especially when we have done our best for them and set a good example in bringing them up in the Christian faith and values. We are tempted to react to God, ‘Why don’t you intervene and stop all these heartbreaks?’
When God doesn’t give an immediate answer to our prayers, we lose heart and we panic. Ours is a stormy world and God does not give any ready answers that satisfy our human questioning. There are mysteries in nature beyond our solving and suffering is one of them. God did not take away suffering and death, even from his own Son. Only faith can inspire us and faith is what we lack.
Today’s readings show us that Jesus is always near, hidden in the heart of suffering. They call on us to have faith. Jesus alone can give us courage and inner peace and, if only we realise that the almighty God is with us, we have the power to dispel all fears that come our way.
