REFLECTION ON THE READINGS - 8th Sunday after Trinity
by Revd Patricia
I wonder whether you have ever been caught in a very severe storm at sea or on land, even up a mountain? Storms can develop quickly and even when forecast they can be much worse than had been expected.: for instance, the storm in October 1987 which wasn’t a hurricane although Michael Fish did say in his forecast that there would be very strong winds. Such storms present many dangers especially to those out in the open or on the seas.
There are storms in life of course. Some people, it appears, sail through life without being buffeted while others find themselves tossed around time and again and sometimes, it would seem, grounded on rocks. The “storms of life” are not necessarily physical hurricanes but come in many different guises. You could say that at the present time the whole world is affected by the storm of Covid-19 which is very severe in some countries and all suffer the effects of it even in those places where life appears to be back to normal they have managed to eradicate it for the time being. Last week I heard one scientist say it would be best to write off 2020 and begin again in 2021. Maybe this is a hopeful way to look at the situation although it will mean hunkering down and we still have to live through the coming months.
There is positive hope, however, in this account of Jesus coming to the aid of his disciples. But first a question. Why wasn’t Jesus with the disciples? You will remember last week we heard about the feeding of the 5000. After that event Jesus sent his disciples off in the boat again while he dismissed the people and took some much-needed time out to pray. He would have seen the storm brewing and known they would have been struggling against the wind and waves. He knew they were in need and so he went to them. After the initial shock and fear it may be a ghost, Peter, impetuous as usual, decided to get out of the boat and walk on the water to Jesus. All was fine while he kept his eyes on Jesus, but things went wrong when he looked around at the raging storm. It became an obstacle to him, he thought he would drown. Even a very strong swimmer doesn’t have much of a chance in seas like that.
I have a lovely picture which I have kept for many years now. On the beautiful scene is written the words “Obstacles are what you see when you take your eyes off the goal”.
There are all sorts of things, besides Covid-19, we may struggle against in life – our circumstances, things we are tempted by, decisions that have to be made, and sadness and many other difficulties which may well be made worse by the pandemic. But, as the disciples found out, when they were in difficulty, Jesus comes to us in our troubles. He speaks clearly, words of calm - “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid”. There is no need to be afraid and when Jesus gets into the boat, comes into our situation, things calm down. His presence stills the raging of the storm. So let us reach out to him, here and now, ask him for his help and take his hand.
Keep us, good Lord
under the shadow of your mercy
in this time of uncertainty and distress.
Sustain and support the anxious and fearful,
and lift up all who are brought low;
that we may rejoice in your comfort
knowing that nothing can separate us
from your love in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Amen.
I wonder how you are getting on in this current storm? Are you struggling in any way? Do invite the Lord Jesus into your situation and if you would like a chance to talk please do call us and we will listen and do what we can to stand alongside you and pray for you.
I wonder whether you have ever been caught in a very severe storm at sea or on land, even up a mountain? Storms can develop quickly and even when forecast they can be much worse than had been expected.: for instance, the storm in October 1987 which wasn’t a hurricane although Michael Fish did say in his forecast that there would be very strong winds. Such storms present many dangers especially to those out in the open or on the seas.
There are storms in life of course. Some people, it appears, sail through life without being buffeted while others find themselves tossed around time and again and sometimes, it would seem, grounded on rocks. The “storms of life” are not necessarily physical hurricanes but come in many different guises. You could say that at the present time the whole world is affected by the storm of Covid-19 which is very severe in some countries and all suffer the effects of it even in those places where life appears to be back to normal they have managed to eradicate it for the time being. Last week I heard one scientist say it would be best to write off 2020 and begin again in 2021. Maybe this is a hopeful way to look at the situation although it will mean hunkering down and we still have to live through the coming months.
There is positive hope, however, in this account of Jesus coming to the aid of his disciples. But first a question. Why wasn’t Jesus with the disciples? You will remember last week we heard about the feeding of the 5000. After that event Jesus sent his disciples off in the boat again while he dismissed the people and took some much-needed time out to pray. He would have seen the storm brewing and known they would have been struggling against the wind and waves. He knew they were in need and so he went to them. After the initial shock and fear it may be a ghost, Peter, impetuous as usual, decided to get out of the boat and walk on the water to Jesus. All was fine while he kept his eyes on Jesus, but things went wrong when he looked around at the raging storm. It became an obstacle to him, he thought he would drown. Even a very strong swimmer doesn’t have much of a chance in seas like that.
I have a lovely picture which I have kept for many years now. On the beautiful scene is written the words “Obstacles are what you see when you take your eyes off the goal”.
There are all sorts of things, besides Covid-19, we may struggle against in life – our circumstances, things we are tempted by, decisions that have to be made, and sadness and many other difficulties which may well be made worse by the pandemic. But, as the disciples found out, when they were in difficulty, Jesus comes to us in our troubles. He speaks clearly, words of calm - “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid”. There is no need to be afraid and when Jesus gets into the boat, comes into our situation, things calm down. His presence stills the raging of the storm. So let us reach out to him, here and now, ask him for his help and take his hand.
Keep us, good Lord
under the shadow of your mercy
in this time of uncertainty and distress.
Sustain and support the anxious and fearful,
and lift up all who are brought low;
that we may rejoice in your comfort
knowing that nothing can separate us
from your love in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Amen.
I wonder how you are getting on in this current storm? Are you struggling in any way? Do invite the Lord Jesus into your situation and if you would like a chance to talk please do call us and we will listen and do what we can to stand alongside you and pray for you.
