Having experienced typhoons on Guam, I can relate to what the folks in Hawaii experienced this past week. That brings to mind the story of a minister who found himself literally in deep water due to a flash flood. The water was above his waist and still rising as he grabbed an injured woman. A rowboat came by and a guy yelled, “Let me save you!” but the preacher said, “Take this woman. God will save me!” After taking the woman, the rowboat moved on.
By now, the water was up to the man’s chin as he struggled to help a father and his two children stay afloat. A helicopter hovered overhead and the pilot yelled, “Here, let me save you!” Again, the minister said, “Save these people. God will save me.” Finally the preacher drowned and he found himself at the pearly gates where St. Peter ushered him into the presence of God. The minister said, “Lord, I have always lived a good life, feeding the hungry, helping the homeless, praying often, and leading people to faith in you. Tell me, Lord, why didn’t you save me in that awful flood?”
God replied, “Don’t blame me, my son. I did everything I could to save you. I sent you a boat and a helicopter. What more did you want?”
I couldn’t resist this story as I pictured St. Peter struggling to stay afloat in the stormy waters of the Sea of Galilee. Actually all three readings today describe God coming to the rescue of people in trouble.
Elijah, the prophet, was in trouble. He has run from the murderous hatred of his idol-worshipping queen. He has almost despaired of God’s help. Terrible winds, earthquakes, and fire come, but only when a gentle wind arrives, did the prophet bow down, knowing that God was now with him.
St. Paul was in trouble. He so loved his people that he would sacrifice his own salvation for them. Because they did not or would not recognize God’s saving plan, Paul could only put matters into God’s hands and wait, knowing that some day God would draw his people to Christ.
St. Peter was in trouble. He accepted the challenge to come to Jesus in the midst of a stormy sea. At first he walked with confidence but soon he floundered when reality sinks in and he desperately cried for help, “Lord, save me!”
As long as Peter kept his focus on Jesus, all went well. As soon as he took his eyes off Jesus and worried about the wind, he began to sink. This is what faith really means, keeping our focus on God, regardless of the turmoil around us, trusting that God is always near us to support us in spite of the waves of troubles that engulf us at times.
I remember being called to an emergency room to comfort a woman whose husband had died unexpectedly. Sobbing, she was overwhelmed with grief. Understandably, she felt abandoned by God yet I assured her that God was very near. Just then, her sister in law arrived to give her comfort. One more reminder to me that God will come to us in ways we least expect.
At the start of the baptismal rite, the parents are asked, “What do you ask of God’s Church for your child?” the answer often given is “faith.” But what comes to mind when we speak of faith? I suspect many of us equate faith with a belief in God but these readings speak of faith as an encounter with God. Faith must be seen more as an experience of the divine presence than an acceptance of dogmatic decrees. Having faith won’t remove whatever difficulties we have in life but seeking God as an encounter of the heart rather than a head-trip will provide the strength we need to cope with whatever makes life so challenging for us.
Like flash floods that can strike without warning, we may have to face demanding moment. It could be the challenge of fidelity in one’s marriage, honesty in the market place,having respect for the unborn child in one’s womb, the call to be chaste, or the motivation to attend Sunday Mass. It could be the diagnosis of a terminal illness or the sudden loss of a loved one or job. Like Peter, our mettle will be tested when we least expect.
There may be times when we are called to be prophets, like Elijah, or exercise discipleship as Peter and Paul did, such as speaking the truth, upholding unpopular Christian views, or assisting those in need. The storms of life we encounter will go much easier for us if we have prepared ourselves beforehand through humble prayer and reception of both reconciliation and Eucharist for it is the Church that bears, nourishes and sustains our faith.
Thomas Merton described life well when he wrote, “My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going.” He then defined faith when he finished his prayer by saying, “Therefore will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.”
In the midst of their storms, people of faith thrust themselves upon the divine mercy of God. At some point, the winds die down, the clouds break, and the sun returns. Then we will know once again that all along God has been holding us safely in the palms of his hands.