Have Faith, Do not be afraid.

Personal Reflection:Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A

We often speak the word 'theology' which is generally understood as the discourse on God or God-talk. On the existence of God, there are generally three views: Atheism, Agnosticism and Theism, though within each of these views are innumerable schools and divisions of opinions. 

Atheism is a stance that rejects the existence of God. Among the atheists are included some of the philosophers, social scientists and psychologists, such as Albert Camus, Karl Max, Friedrich Nietzsche and Sigmud Freud. The reasons for the denial of God vary. According to some, there is so much evil, unmerited suffering and injustice in this world that one cannot believe in a good and loving God. Many of atheists argue that God is the projection of the human mind created by religions and powerful groups which they subdue the powerless and the poor. 

People are often mystified when they look at the reality of the world we live in, and try to reconcile that with a good and loving God. We frequently face difficulties of all kinds, big and small; personal as well as global tragedies. Seeing this, we can't help but ask, "How can this be? How can a loving God have created this? There is something missing from this picture. It doesn't add up!" That's true. There is a piece missing from our equation.

There IS something that we are refusing to look at, which would reconcile these contradictions in our minds and heal our discomfiture with God. We need to understand what that is, because that missing piece is causing a breakdown of affinity between mankind and God, and making us miserable.

We need to always ask ourselves this question: does the Lord Jesus ever seem distant when trials or adversity come your way? In today’s Gospel reading, it was at Jesus' initiative that the disciples sailed across the lake, only to find themselves in a life-threatening storm (Mark 6:45-52). Although they were experienced fishermen, they feared for their lives. The Lake of Galilee was known for its sudden storms whipped up suddenly by strong winds which swept down from the nearby mountains. The disciples must have cried out for help when they recognized that their boat was about to be capsized by the threatening waves.

Although Jesus was not physically with them in the boat, he nonetheless had been keeping vigilant watch for them in earnest prayer on the distant shore. When Jesus perceived their trouble he came to them walking on the sea and startled them with his sudden appearance. The disciples were terrified rather than joyful when they saw Jesus' presence on the water. They thought a ghost had appeared to seal their doom. At first, they could not believe it was really the Lord who was coming to help them until they heard his reassuring voice - "I am here for you and ready to help you - let your heart be filled with courage - and do not allow any fear or doubt to hold you back from trusting in me." Jesus calmed their fears, and he calmed the threatening waves and storm as well. 

This dramatic incident on the sea of Galilee revealed Peter's character more fully than others. Here we see Peter's impulsive tendency to act or speak quickly without thinking through what he was about to do. Peter often failed and came to grief as a result of his impulsive response to challenging circumstances (such a cutting off the ear of a servant who came to arrest Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane or Peter promising Jesus that he would never deny him shortly before his betrayal at the high priest's courtyard). When Peter saw Jesus walking on the water, he took a leap of faith only to cave in out of fear and doubt. He failed to keep his eyes on Jesus and to rely on the strength which God readily hands to those who trust in him. 

In Peter's moment of fear and failure, he fortunately did not give into despair or hopelessness. When his faith began to sink, Peter clutched at Jesus' hand and held firmly. Whatever weakness Peter had, he was not a quitter. Every time Peter fell, he rose again. His failures only made him draw closer to his Lord, and love him more humbly and deeply, and with greater gratitude and trust in his mercy and help.

The Lord Jesus keeps vigilant watch over each one of us at all times, and especially in our moments of temptation and difficulty. Now, do you recognize the Lord's presence when you meet adversity or trouble and do you cling to him as Peter did in his trial? The Lord Jesus assures us that we do not need to give into fear and despair when troubles threaten us. The Lord is always ready to strengthen our faith, to reassure our hope in his promises, and to fill us with his peace and love. When troubles and danger threaten to overwhelm you, how do you respond? With expectant faith and hope in the Lord's abiding presence, love, and care for you?