FOR THOSE IN PERIL ON THE SEA

A MESSAGE FOR THE FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY

Today’s Gospel tells the story of some very stormy weather on the Sea of Galilee.  As the disciples try and keep their boat from sinking in the tempest, they are obviously facing a very dangerous situation.  How very surprising then, that in the midst of this life and death situation, with waves pounding and men crying out in terror, the Saviour remains fast asleep in the hull of the boat…

Last year, our country seemed to be like St. Peter’s boat, heading for the rocks.  For years, the forces of evil had been intensifying their efforts to destroy the sacrament of marriage and the family unit, replacing them with their own malevolent substitutes, the devil’s sacraments of abortion and carnal perversity.  We found ourselves sailing through a tempest of depravity, and like the disciples before us, we cried out to our silent Saviour, “Save us Lord; we perish!”

And as on that turbulent night on the Sea of Galilee, our Lord heard the prayers of his disciples, and the shipwreck that had seemed so inevitable was indeed averted, bringing us new hope for a revival of faith and moral values in the public arena.  Already, an executive order has gone out from the White House defunding abortions overseas, and in the coming week we look forward to the nomination of a clearly pro-life justice for the Supreme Court.

Sometimes, we forget ourselves and imagine that God is not looking out for us, that he is in some way “asleep,” leaving us to fend for ourselves in this wicked world.  But as the 120^th Psalm reminds us, “Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.”  He simply wants us to pray, to call upon him when we are in danger, to rely on his almighty power, and to ask him for his help.  And when we do so, he reminds us of our lack of faith, calms the waves, and restores peace.

Is all now well with the world?  Has peace yet been restored?  We must remember that our battle with the world shall never end until heaven and earth shall pass away.  No matter how great a victory the forces of good may have won, we are still being constantly bombarded with reminders that our adversary the devil will not concede defeat, but will redouble his vitriol and hatred for what is right and what is good.  Let’s not worry—even as the tsunami of hatred sweeps across the land, we will not be swept away because God is not sleeping.  As long as we cling to our faith and continue to place our hope in him, he will keep us safe.

Father Hall