Dear Parishioners,
I have always had a boat. My father had a fishing boat
when we lived in New Jersey. We would go crabbing. I
had a small sailboat after high school that I transported on
the roof of my car. As an adult, I had a small fishing boat
that I took to small lakes and ponds in Indiana. I have a
small sail boat now that I take out on the Bay, although I
am doing that less and less. But last year while on the Bay,
a storm kicked up. I remember seeing the clouds and
starting to head for port, but it caught us, and we were
tossed around quite a bit. Now, I didn’t see Jesus walking
toward us as in our reading today (Matthew 14:22-33). But I may have sent off
a little prayer for help! Matthew provides us with a
wonderful example of Christ’s love and salvation.
Our life these days seems to be a battle at times with a good deal of tossing waves and fierce headwind. Christ offered the disciples, “Be not afraid!” Let us put our faith in God’s goodness and salvation. He cares for us and wants to see us prosper. And he comes to us like for Elijah, in a small voice at times, a whisper. Maybe his whisper is in the small kindness that someone shows us, a small caring gesture that someone demonstrates, or an offer of help in time of need. These times require that we help each other. As God loves us, we are to love one another. So let us rest on our faith, knowing that it will be our guide in these tumultuous times. It will be the boat that gets us back to shore. It will be the light that shines when things are dark. It will be the voice that speaks to us, providing comfort and consolation. Thank you Lord for your presence in our lives!
Blessings,
Deacon Steve
