Happy Father’s Day
Do you have any storms in your life of faith? Who did you ask for help when
you have storms of life?
Storms are a part of life. They can come upon us suddenly and knock us off our feet.
Earthquakes such as the one that leveled Nepal last month or the tsunami which
claimed hundreds of thousands of lives in Thailand a few years ago remind us of
nature’s devastating power. Without any warning, and tornados rip through the
countryside turning even the most well built homes into piles of trash and throwing
cars around as if they were toys. During the winter, blizzards put a stop to all our
plans and keep us locked up in our homes until they pass. Storms are nature’s way
of reminding us that we are not in control. They show just how powerless we really
are.
However, storms do not only take place in nature. There are also political storms.
Wars and crime perhaps destroy more property and claim more lives every year than
earthquakes, tornados or hurricanes. There are also religious storms. Persecution by
governments and militant groups continues to claim the lives of thousands of
believers every year. Finally, there are storms in our personal lives. Relationships
fall apart, our loved ones pass away or we lose a job. Storms in our personal life are
the most common and often the most painful. Like the storms in nature, these storms
leave us feeling devastated, powerless and afraid.
In today’s gospel, the disciples find themselves in the middle of a storm at sea which
comes suddenly and with devastating power. They were within minutes of drowning
when they call out to Jesus who is sleeping . “Teacher, do you not care that we are
perishing?” All of us can relate to the disciples’ panic but also to their question. How
many times in the midst of our own storms did we wonder whether God cared about
us? When we have felt afraid or have experienced a devastating loss, have we not
wondered where Jesus was and why He wasn’t helping us? How many times has it
seemed to us that Jesus was sleeping on the job?
These are the most natural questions to ask when the storms of life rock our world
and knock us off our feet. Today’s first reading is taken from the book of Job. Job
was a righteous man who lost everything. His wife and children were killed, all his
property was destroyed and his body became ravaged by disease. At first, he
accepted the tragedies calmly. However, it finally became too much for him and he
challenged God to explain why so many bad things had happened to him. Today’s
first reading is part of God’s response to Job. Notice that God speaks to Job out of a
storm. He reminds him that He alone created all things and has power over them.
God does not try to justify Himself. He simply tells Job that if He allows bad things
to happen it is for a good reason. We are just not capable of understanding it.
This is not an easy answer for us to hear in the twenty-first century. We think that
because of our knowledge and technology we can control everything. We want
reasonable explanations for whatever takes place in our lives. However, God does
not always explain Himself to us. Many times He requires that we simply trust Him
the way a child trusts a father to provide for him. He is the one in charge. Not only
is His power more awesome than we can ever imagine but His love for us is deeper
and stronger than we can ever hope for. If He allows bad things to happen to us it is
because of His love for us. He simply allows it so that He can bring a greater good
into our lives.
Again, this is not an easy answer to hear. When we are going through the storm, it
is impossible for us to see what good can possibly come from it. It is all the more
difficult to believe when it is our own children who are suffering. But it is the truth.
It may take time for us to realize it. In fact, it may only be in heaven that we discover
the good that came from our suffering. However, that is God’s promise to us.
And, if we are honest with ourselves, what choice do we really have? We can decide
to hate God for allowing bad things to happen to us, but what good will that do? It
will only keep us locked in resentment and bitterness. It will not make our problems
go away. In fact, it will leave us feeling even more isolated and powerless because
we will be turning our backs on God, who can save us.
Throughout the gospels, Jesus tells His disciples not to fear. When the disciples wake
Him up, He asks them, “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?” No
matter what storms we may be experiencing, Jesus expects us to have faith. When
we are feeling overwhelmed, afraid and powerless, we need only turn to Him. He
has the power to calm the storm. It may not be immediately as in the gospel. He may
ask us to ride it out for a while. However, we can never forget that He is in the boat
with us and that He will eventually guide us safely to shore.
Jesus is always with us. That belief alone will calm our fears and
give us confidence to ride out the storms of life. And So as we begin summer,
get into the boat with Jesus and let him steer.