TODAY'S MASS READING narrates the time when Jesus stilled the storm. His disciples had to wake Him. He's the same with us - He's there all the time, but trusts us to handle situations, always willing to lend a hand......
I come to your holy place:
bow in adoration in your presence.
Let me be still and close to you:
Quieting myself before your love.
MATTHEW CHAPTER 8 Jesus Calms the Storm
Jesus got into the boat and his disciples followed him.
Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake,
so that the waves swept over the boat.
But Jesus was sleeping.
The disciples went and woke him, saying,
"Lord, save us!
We're going to drown!"
He replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?"
Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves,
and it was completely calm.
They were amazed and asked,
"What kind of man is this?
Even the winds and the waves obey him!"
Calm me, O Lord, as you stilled the storm Still me, O Lord, keep me from harm Let all tumult within me cease Enfold me Lord in your peace.
David Adam
O God, you come to us
not in the chaos of the storm,
but in the sound of sheer silence.
Quieten our minds, bring peace to our hearts
and stillness to our bodies;
that we might meet you in that silence.
Help us to listen for your still, small voice.
Give us the courage to go wherever you lead us,
trusting that you will prepare the way.
We pray this in the name of our Companion on the journey,
Jesus the Christ.
Heather A. Moody
Strength is commanding the wind and sea to obey,
Strength is wielding a slingshot in the face of a raging giant.
Strength is accepting vulnerability from inside the boat,
Strength is standing in solidarity with the powerless.
Strength is turning a cheek, Strength is loving an enemy.
We come to worship a God who redefines our vision of strength.
He lay with quiet heart in the stern asleep:
Waking, commanded the winds and sea their silence keep.
Christ, though our weary bodies slumber deep,
grant that our hearts may their watch with you keep.
Alcuin of York (abridged)
Most loving Father, whose will for us
is to give thanks in all things, to dread nothing but the loss of you; and to cast all our cares on you who cares for us;
Preserve us from faithless fear and worldly anxiety, and grant that no storms of this mortal life may hide from us the light of your immortal love, which you have shown to us in your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
William Bright
God of love and gentleness,
Protect us by your goodness,
From each act of sinfulness,
From each deed of carelessness,
From each word of hurtfulness,
From each thought of wickedness.
By your presence and your holiness,
God of love and gentleness,
Protect us by your goodness.
Christ be the navigator
beside you,
Christ be the compass
to direct you, Christ be the guiding star
above you, Christ be the smooth passage
before you,
today, tonight and forever.
