I am afraid. Where is the Lord?

The first reading gives us dramatic examples of the power and majesty of nature where you might expect to find the Lord: strong and heavy wind rending mountains and crushing rocks,.. earthquake, fire. Was the Lord in these? No. Our God of surprises is in a tiny whispering sound! Elijah had been told the Lord will be passing by and only at the tiny whispering sound, not the mighty forces of nature, did he recognize the passing of the Lord, hide his face in his cloak and stand at the entrance of the cave. I’m sure I would have been hiding IN the cave at any one of the mighty forces of nature and in fear not even looking for the Lord. Much less in a tiny, whispering sound! What an invitation! I resolve not to let my fears drown out the subtle, gentle voice of God.

The Gospel setting  is a  familiar one: Jesus seeks some alone time to be with his Father on the mountain top and sends the disciples off in their boat to go before him to the other side of the lake. As can happen with a rather shallow lake, the wind comes up and tosses the boat around. Another fearful gesture from nature. It is the fourth watch, the hours from 3-6 a.m., the time of significant encounters with God in many Bible stories. A holy time.

The disciples see a figure approaching on the water – more fear! They think it is a ghost, but the figure speaks: ” Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”  Peter: “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”  Jesus replies simply: “Come.”

Once again fear interferes. Peter, realizing the strength of the wind begins to sink and cries out “Lord, save me!”

Jesus immediately reaches out and catches Peter, saying, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

I am often wakened at three a.m. for no rational reason…what a great time to turn to the Lord in prayer. To listen for that tiny whispering sound. To remember all his words in this Gospel. And reach for his hand, outstretched toward mine……

“Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”
“Come.”
“O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”