Inevitably, chaos will emerge at one point or another in our lives . . . corruption, anger, fake news, persecution. The big question is how do we respond to these disruptions? I tend to be more reactive at first, but can calm down quickly. My goal is to accept anything coming my way with courage . . . meaning complete trust in Christ before reacting. If I view turmoil through His eyes and with His heart, I naturally eradicate any fear I may experience. The tough part is taking that step onto the raging sea. I am in good company though . . . His apostles worked through the same fears.
Today's Gospel (Matthew 14:22-36) demonstrates even His apostles lacked courage at times, but Peter steps out in faith as we all must attempt continuously:
Jesus made the disciples get into a boat and precede him to the other side of the sea, while he dismissed the crowds. After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When it was evening he was there alone. Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore, was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it. During the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them, walking on the sea. When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified. "It is a ghost," they said, and they cried out in fear. At once Jesus spoke to them, "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid." Peter said to him in reply, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." He said, "Come." Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!" Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" After they got into the boat, the wind died down. Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying, "Truly, you are the Son of God."
After making the crossing, they came to land at Gennesaret. When the men of that place recognized him, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought to him all those who were sick and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak, and as many as touched it were healed.
In Anne a lay apostle's book Staying in Place, Jesus gives us direction as to how to live our lives with courage:
"May people be strong and committed, as disciplined in thought as they are in action. May they find congruence in their prayer life and not in the opinions of others. May they receive their vocations as divinely organized in the mind of God and live from them in trust. May they have great courage as they stand down those inflated with power and self-importance. May they live humility with simplicity. May they have joy in their obligations to bring about the new time and retain personal holiness as a gift to their mother, the Queen of the Church. And may Jesus Christ be strengthened in presence in the world through the constancy of many holy disciples and apostles."
Lay apostles, contemplate how fear interrupts your trust in Jesus. As I have said many times in this blog, worst case scenario is death, the biggest fear factor. Actually, with faith in Christ, departing this world is a best case scenario. None of us know our expiration date. With that in mind, have courage, not fear. After all, our goal is eternity in heaven with Him!
Thank you, Lord, for strengthening my heart and mind toward courage, not fear. And, for the wake up call when I falter!
God bless,
Bonnie
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