Avoiding the Storm

Gospel: Matthew 8: 23-27

The two men who did not ultimately get into the boat to follow Jesus to the other shore find themselves on shore watching the storm, perhaps even seeing the boat cast about.  Imagine them saying to one another: "Good thing we didn't get into that boat! Look what we avoided!"  Such an attitude is representative of one who has not crossed to the other shore, one who has not sought enlightenment and illumination.

To enter the boat to cross over to the other shore is not to look for storms and deliberately head into them.  It is instead to be open to the possibility of their occurring, to take the risk of being vulnerable, and to sail onward in spite of the storm.  It is to discover our faith and what it is made of in the midst of the storm, to see if we are fearing disciples or calm, peaceful Jesus asleep in the midst of the storm.  To remain on shore and never discover this reality about ourselves is an unenlightened, dark path of self-interest.  

If we have accepted the invitation to enter the boat, we have opened ourselves up to this vulnerability of the storm.  We are now invited to discern what our spiritual state is in the midst of the storm.  We may indeed hear the rebuke of the Lord for having a weak faith, but we are in the boat still making the journey, still open to vulnerability - and still open to grow, to be enlightened and illuminated by the experience.