One of the windows along the south side of our church features the image of a boat on stormy seas. The sky looks dark, the sail is full of wind and the waters look rough. I’ve been in a few storms while boating and each time was frightening in its own way. Each time, I had to take a breath and remind myself, all storms pass, all that’s needed is to stay in the boat. So, today’s Gospel reading, featuring Peter, who gets out of the boat during a severe storm at the command of Jesus, catches my attention as it goes against my own training and natural inclinations.
Of course, literal storms out in the lake aren’t the only kinds of storms I’ve faced. We all encounter different kinds of storms throughout life. Some maybe experience financial storms and worry about being swamped by the waves of bills and inflation. Others could be experiencing relationship storms, concerned about properly navigating the shoals of rocky relationships. Maybe battling health issues or poor workplace conditions feels like fighting against gale force winds. Storms of all kinds surround us and even though we know Our Saviour is never all that far away, sometimes the threats of the storms we face seem like impossible barriers between us and his saving power. The key to surviving all these storms is to stay in the boat.
The disciples in today’s Gospel were confronted by multiple storms all at once. Of course, there was the literal storm that threatened their lives. But their God given mission at Capernaum, their destination, would include other kinds of storms. Their journey across the lake would take them from the familiar territory of the Jewish people to a territory infused with Gentile cultures; on the other side, they would face not just opposing winds, but cultures completely opposed to the Good News. Internally, each of the disciples faced storms in their relationship with Jesus; instead of being comforted, the appearance of Jesus walking on the waters terrified them. They were also in the middle of stormy faith, demonstrated visibly when Peter allowed the dangers of the storm to distract him from Jesus. For the disciples to survive all these storms, they had to stay in the boat.
Going back to our church window with the boat: the sail in the image is inscribed with a word, “Ecclesia”, the word for Church. The Church is the boat we’re supposed to cling to when facing storms. While in the boat, Peter could trust in Jesus and hear him; but once he got out, the winds and waves distracted him and he needed rescue.
When facing so many threatening storms in life, the presence and voice of God is often difficult to perceive and trusting in his power is a true challenge. Today’s first reading featured Elijah who hid in a cave when the rulers threatened his life. While hiding, he could have given in to despair over his predicament. Instead, he remained in a prayerful state, he was attuned to the voice of God and could hear him in the whisper of a breeze even over the noise of fire, great winds, earthquakes and the threats against his life.
Disciples know our faith doesn’t spare us from the threatening storms of life. So, we come here regularly: to stay in the boat of our Church, listening for the voice of God. Outside of this place, when the threats of storms distract us from trusting in the power of The Saviour, like Peter we begin to sink. Here though, we stay in the boat of our Church; we retreat from distracting storms to focus on him and listen for the whisper of his voice. From in the boat, Peter and the disciples were attuned to the voice of Jesus. From in the boat, they could hear his voice. From in the boat of the Church, the disciples properly worshipped Jesus, professing that he is, “…the son of God.”[i].
Maybe you’re lucky, you’re not currently experiencing storms in your life. For disciples, that’s an opportunity to worship Jesus from in the boat of our Church. Here, we praise him for his power and give him thanks for safely guiding us and guarding us. Maybe, for one reason or another, you’ve left the boat and the storms of life make it difficult to trust in the love and power of The Saviour. That’s okay: he’s never all that far. In our prayer, like Peter we call out, “Lord save me!”[ii] and allow him to lead us here. Hopefully, though, you’re in the boat during the storms of life; in our Church, through prayer, scripture and especially by receiving Jesus in Communion, we remain above the waves, listening for his voice, remembering, how all storms pass; all that’s needed is to stay in the boat. Our faith doesn’t eliminate the storms of life, but reminds us that we’re not alone, our Saviour remains with us always through all storms and threats.
Father of all, we pray today that through the power of your Holy Spirit, the faith of all disciples would increase and encourage them to remain in the boat of Your Church. Open our ears to listen for the call of your Son. Open our eyes to recognize his approach. Grant us courage to follow his call even when his call contains challenge. Through this, may we brush aside all apathy and affirm our belief that Jesus truly conquers every storm that threatens. We make this prayer in his name. Amen.
[i] Matthew 14:33 NRSVCE
[ii] Matthew 14:30 NRSVCE
