One of the most popular pieces of writing is a little thing called ‘Footprints in the Sand’. It’s a sentimental piece where God appears to carry us when the storm clouds gather and the wind is trying to bowl us over. It is a favourite of a particular kind of disciple. However …
The disciple is not asked to say prayers but to become prayer. But the reality for many people is that they only ever ‘say’ prayers when they are in trouble, or their life is in danger or when they want something badly. Once the storm has passed and they feel lifted out of the raging sea, they are grateful and then drop God until the next crisis or need appears.
The real adventure of faith, as it is outlined in today’s Gospel, is to be rooted in Gods Saving Presence with every breath that we take. Danger creates fear and fear is a prison cell which will not allow Gods presence. The boat, Matthew’s great symbol for the Church, is in danger of sinking. The disciples (men of little faith still) become afraid and lose their rudder. But they are not just taking a walk on a dark country lane at night.
We are instead struggling for community in an age of holocaust. Struggling for an end to war and violence, struggling to make poverty, hunger and disease things of the past, struggling to uphold dignity and respect for all of creation, for lives that are pure with love, struggling for beauty and truth in art and education, in healthcare, education and in politics. Working for higher consciousness of the Sacred in our Midst. In Matthew’s language, trying to bring heaven to earth!
As we reach for these things, we become afraid. Afraid for our lives, Afraid of Failure. We notice the winds of change are stronger than we thought. We imagine that the tsunami of violation, greed, injustice, and cruelty will make our own little efforts seems ridiculous.
But we might keep this on the breath of our prayer. Before the outstretched arm of Christ reaches out to hold us up, there is no better way to sink!
