Mark, My Words: August 9, 2020
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Remember that old song from 1960’s, The Sounds of Silence? It was written when President Kennedy was assassinated. The people felt such darkness and despair. In scary times of fear and desperation, we often go into silence to find God and security; but today the gospel shows us a different approach to finding peace.
The apostles’ boat is anything but silent—they’re being tossed wildly by wind and storm, praying for help, when suddenly Jesus is walking toward them. He comes in the very heart of the crisis, just as he does when we are in “the perfect storm” of chaos and disaster in our own lives.
But it’s not over yet. Peter still had to climb out of his boat (and Elijah, out of his cave, in the first reading) in order to hear and receive God’s saving action. Remember that Peter was already an apostle, a true believer in Jesus—in fact, the first Pope! But faith in Jesus is not an automatic haven of safety for anyone. Believing in Jesus is no excuse to sit back and wait to be delivered. Faith requires real movement from our side. Even if that’s just us shaking in our boots!
When our faith is wavering the most, and we’re least in control of things, we hear Jesus’ call: “Come to me. Do what must be done.” So we have to lift both legs over the side and start walking on water toward the Body of Christ.
The best way to find God in times of stress is to step out of our comfort zone and make an effort to be Christ for others—bringing more people into our circle of love and life. Yes, it’s great to have abundant life with our friends and families. But don’t keep it to yourselves—bring it back to the Body of Christ. In the pre-COVID days, you might have put an extra leaf in your table and ask someone to dinner. Now a days, we can and should connect with people with a phone call, an email, a message or a note. Let us take this time to respond to the Lord!