Navigating Challenging Times

Can you recall a time in your life that started out well but then became very scary?
In the Gospel of Matthew, we read about Jesus teaching a large crowd who had gathered. As Jesus was concluding, he instructed his disciples to get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. When the crowds had gone, Jesus went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone. Meanwhile, the disciples in the boat were far from land and being battered by waves as they fought the strong wind. Near daylight Jesus came walking toward them on the sea!
Let’s stop here for just a minute. A large crowd was learning from Jesus. That’s a great start and very beneficial to all. The gathering ended and Jesus sent the disciples off on a boat while he went up the mountain to pray. Jesus provides a good example of spending time with God as we think about and process our days. Another positive learning point!

What started as a good day changed for the disciples. They were in a boat as a violent storm rolled in. It’s bad enough to encounter this during the day but by this time it was dark. They had a long night ahead of them. But just before daylight, Jesus came walking to them on the water. Jesus could do anything he wanted. Why do you suppose he chose to arrive in this way? Was it to create a teachable moment for his disciples (and for us too!)? At first it wasn’t so positive: “But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, ‘It is a ghost!’ And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, ‘Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.’”

Jesus and the disciples had had an exhausting day! Look back through the account and list some of the events and activities that take place. What observations can you make about what Jesus does, what His disciples do, what the crowds of people do?

An important point for us to remember is that Jesus is right along with us throughout our journey: the positive times and the challenging times. We are never alone! Because of his presence in our lives, we can step out in faith and confidence that God will direct our paths. 

Closing Prayer – from St. Francis of Assisi:
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.

O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.