BAD SQUALLS

BAD SQUALLS – 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B

            All have had the experience of having a peaceful time quickly interrupted. Things will be going good and suddenly there is a change. Something happens. You miss your turn and are late when you had plenty of time. The baby gets sick or wets his or her pants as you are headed out the door for a peaceful hour of worship on Sunday morning. An accident happens quickly. There is some change in the situation. Everyone experiences many such times in daily life.

            I have noticed often that quiet and peaceful times are short lived in parish life. Fairly often, the times and days of less parish activities are interrupted by individual crises and family problems. Deaths take place, marriage separations and divorces occur, suicide attempts are made, and any number of other life problems happen. People become upset, disturbed, or hurt and angered over something. Such changes seem to happen as often as the weather changes or so it seems. They are part of life’s numerous “bad squall blowups!”

            Jesus and the disciples had these experiences also. Mark tells us about a quiet time they were having. They had left the crowd and were expecting a quiet time of recovery before the sure return of increased activities, which always accompanied Jesus’ preaching and healing works. They left in a boat. Mark tells us: “A violent squall came up…” As usual, they happen unexpectedly and often without warning. Waves beat against the boat and water began to fill the boat. Jesus knew that quiet times such as this are often interrupted by unexpected happenings. They are part of life and can be times of growth in faith. They certainly test faith and patience. The Lord taught and teaches the disciples to remain calm at such times. “Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion.”

            At times when we experience “bad squalls” we can wonder if the Lord isn’t “asleep” when we are going through “bad squalls”. When, like the disciples, we “get the Lord to wake up”, we may confront Him as they did. “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” Many, if not most, of life’s “bad squalls” are not going to lead to any great tragic event. They may have the potential or seem to have at the time. The Lord is well aware of the nature of such events, and of their value for our faith. They can be times when the limits of our faith are tested and revealed. These can be times for prayer and awareness of our dependence on the Lord.

            With faith and trust in the Lord, “bad squall blowups” can be more easily lived through and overcome. Some of them may even be prevented, if our life under faith is more directed and centered. Our reactions to them are often out of proportion to what is really called for. Over reactions often create greater and perhaps even a “bad squall blowup” from a “bad squall blowup”. When we become upset, agitated, impatient, or unduly troubled or worried, it can make such experiences more stressful for us and others. At such times, we need to be more aware of the presence and power of the Lord over the circumstances. Some “bad squall blowups” are best handled by not reacting to them at all. They may be so short lived that they can best be endured or absorbed in some way, which is better. Some react by abusive language and outbursts of rage, which is often far worse than the actual “bad storm blowup”. One’s energy can be better directed in such circumstances.

            At such time, we need to hear the Lord saying “Quiet! Be still!” We need to see in our minds and spirits the effect of the Lord’s power. “The wind ceased and there was great calm.” When such “bad squalls” die down as quickly as they arose, we can wonder why we got so alarmed. At such moments, there may well be a gentle rebuke from the Lord. “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?” We can sometimes see the power of the Lord working at such times, and we have the experience of awe. “They were filled with great awe…” The Lord can work through us and the situation to increase faith.

            There are limits to the “bad squall blowups”. Job had many such experiences. The Lord reminded Job that He had set limits on the seas of the earth. Certainly, the Lord has set limits on the “bad squall blowups” of our small personal worlds. The Lord asks Job where he was when the earth was created. He reminds him to trust the Lord’s powers. “Thus far shall you come but no further, and here shall your proud waves be stilled!”

            Whether such experiences emerge within our own persons or from outside of us, they can be times and occasions for us to grow in faith. They can be reminders for us that we are called to live for others. Paul says in Second Corinthians about Jesus: “He indeed died for all, so that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for Him who for their sake died and was raised”. In the certain day to day “bad squall blowups” of life, we can think of the Lord, remain calm, and trust that they will pass. What remains is our greater faith in the Lord, that prepares us to better face other such experiences. Through it all, it is good for us to “Give thanks to the Lord, His love is everlasting”. (Psalm 107)

            Remember, such times are often short and brief, and can be handled best by short and brief acts of faith, hope and love. They are part of the “stuff” used by the Lord to help us grow in faith. They need to be seen as somehow related to our faith life. On the surface, they may seem totally unrelated. Some of them might be so. Others help us to realize the power of the Lord!