Do you ever feel like you are in the boat with the disciples and Christ as the storm erupts?  We live in turbulent times today, but we can  rely on God for help.

In the Gospel account of the storm at sea, the threat to the small boat with frightened disciples does not hold a candle to the storms of destruction surrounding us: pandemic, war, inflation, wildfires, drought, floods, famine, earthquakes.  The list goes on, making every day seem like Good Friday.  Christ has died.  Our courage is in short supply.  Our reason to hope all will be well is waning.

In the Gospel, under the threat of destruction, Jesus is asleep at the wheel.  The disciples wonder if he cares that they are perishing.  He wonders if they have faith that will see them through the darkness.

To have faith in troubled times is not to deny the darkness of the violent squalls.  Instead, faith rummages through our memory of painful experiences to catch a glimpse of God’s loving presence—often disguised as a power stronger than our physical strength, a wisdom greater than our minds, a love beyond what our feeble hearts supply.  We remember that we could not have made it to today if we had only ourselves to depend on.  As Gerard Manley Hopkins writes, “Christ plays in ten thousand places…through the features of men’s faces.”   Scientists, first responders, humanitarian workers, our families and good neighbors are all strong reminders that God is at work, coming to us through us.

May we nurture each other’s faith in troubled times by being living sacraments of grace—using words of comfort, being a calming presence, offering a touch that consoles.  May we be bearers of understanding and acceptance, forgiveness and reconciliation, kindness and generosity.

– Adapted from Material by Fr. Richard M. Gula