There is no need for us to lose our peace even though the boat is about to capsize. Truly, to lose our peace at this moment would be to manifest that we have little faith in Our Lord. Such are His own words.

Remember how the story began:

“And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but He was asleep.”[1]

In this time, when a great storm has churned up the world and the Church, more than once we have asked, “How long, O Lord, will you sleep?”[2] We recall the martyrs in Heaven, crying out in a similar manner, anxious for Our Lord to go and aid His children on earth. To them, He simply said, “Rest a little longer, for the time is not complete.”[3]

We, too, in the midst of this stormy chaos, must not dwell on the storm, but must focus on the ability to find peace despite it. Remember St. Peter’s flaw when, granted the grace to walk toward Our Lord on the water, he took his eyes off of Our Lord and became fearful of the chaos of the storm. It was only then that he began to sink.[4] 

And what about St. John, the Beloved Disciple? Where do we imagine that he was when the storm began to attack the boat? He was certainly with the Apostles in the midst of that storm. Perhaps he, like Mary, the sister of Martha, was at Our Lord’s feet, or leaning already then, as he would later, upon Our Lord’s breast.[5] Perhaps he was asleep with Our Lord on that boat, and was not even disturbed by the waves. Was it St. Peter who, at this moment, as he did at the Last Supper, obtained help from Our Lord through the intercession of the faithful Beloved Disciple?

So, what are we to do in the midst of this storm? If Our Lord is truly with us, then we may simply rest with Him. Were the Apostles able, by their fears and cries and panicking, to calm the sea and still the waves and wind? Neither can we, by our fears and cries and panicking, calm the chaos of the world and that which dwells even within the Church.

From the story, what does Our Lord expect us to do?

“And he said to them, ‘Why are you afraid, O men of little faith?’”[6]

Clearly, He expects us to be at peace, not to fear, and to be filled with faith. But, in what do we have faith? We have faith that Our Lord will be true to His promise, that Our Lord is with us, that Our Lord is the Head of the Church, that Our Lord is the King of all nations, that Our Lord is God. All these truths reinforce our faith that He will, in the end, save us.

From the story, what should we expect, and hope, that Our Lord will do?

“Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.”[7]

When Our Lord sees that the time has come, and when the number of those who have suffered for Him is complete, He will rise! And, when He rises, He will, by His authority and power, rebuke the winds of evil doctrines and silence the activities of the demons and those who have been employed in their works.

In the meantime, when we fret, He will say to us,

“Children, children, you are anxious and troubled about many things. One thing is necessary. Choose the best part, and it will not be taken away from you.”[8]

We must stay at His feet and hear and heed His words. We must cast our eyes upon Him alone and walk directly through the stormy seas. We must lay our head upon His breast, study His Sacred Heart, rest a little while longer, and be at peace in faith and in hope and in charity. Then, when the time is right, Our Lord will act. The Great King will rise. The just will be vindicated. The humble will be exalted.

Until then, love Him.

Love Him and continue to row His boat to the shores to which He desires to go. Continue, like St. Peter, when his eyes remained fixed on Our Lord, to bring Him to others despite the tumult. Continue, like Mary, to remain at His feet. Continue, like the Beloved Disciple, to lean your head near His breast.

Love Him, and long for the day when the whole world will cry out, as did the Apostles,

“What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?”[9]

Preach, despite the storm.

Rest, despite the storm.

Love Him, despite the storm.

Love Him, and let Him conquer the storm. Only, continue to do the work of a disciple. As with St. Peter, and with the Apostles, when we cry out for Him to save us, He will do so. So, cry out, but rest. Let your cry come not as you sink and as you panic; let it come peacefully from one who leans close to His Most Sacred Heart. Then, only a gentle and trusting voice is needed in order to be heard.

[1] Matthew 8:24

[2] cf. Revelation 6:10

[3] cf. Revelation 6:11

[4] Matthew 14:30

[5] John 13:23

[6] Matthew 8:26

[7] Matthew 8:26

[8] cf. Luke 10:38-42

[9] Matthew 8:27

(originally published at Catholic News Herald:  http://www.catholicnewsherald.com/viewpoints/104-news/viewpoints/3413-charles-d-fraune-be-at-peace-despite-the-storm)