I am lucky enough to live on the coast. One of the things I love most is my daily drive along the seafront, seeing the Solent both on the days when the sky is blue and the water calm, with barely a ripple to be seen, is the stillness, but more especially on those days when the wind is raging, the white capped waves hurtling across to the beach, before the waves crash against the shoreline. It is a truly awe-inspiring vision of the power of nature.

In our readings today, we find Elijah and the disciples encountering God during or after stormy encounters. Their experience of God’s presence, like our own, can be a dramatically impressive one, or one found in the stillness, a moment of utter quietness. It is never something which is under our own control, because it is always God’s initiative which drives these encounters, often when we have lost control of our lives and when our defences are at their weakest, when we are most aware of how frail our own nature is. It is in these moments that we feel God’s touch most keenly.

In our first reading, Elijah is on the run. He is in fear of his life after Jezebel, the vengeful wife of King Ahab, vows to kill him as he has done to the priests of  Ba’al. Reversing the path taken by the Israelites on their journey from Egypt, after40 days and nights, he arrives at Horeb, the Holy Mountain where the covenant had been signed. Here, he witnesses a great display of nature’s forces, signs in the old Testament of God’s self-manifestation. Not here, however. God is not present in these wonders, but in the silence which follows, Elijah leaves his place in the rocks and goes to his encounter with God.

In our Gospel reading, the disciples encounter with God takes place in much harsher conditions. They are battling against a headwind, storm-tossed seas, which despite their experience as fishermen, they struggle to maintain control. Jesus comes to them across the water, having spent the night in prayer. They are terrified before Jesus calls to them. Peter, impulsive as ever, heads out across the water to meet with Jesus, before succumbing to doubt as he felt the force of the wind. Here, he stands for all the disciples in Jesus’ rebuke. “O you of little faith, why did you doubt.”

This story has a deep resonance for us all. In our own storms as we pass through life. In obedience to Christ, we leave our own boat in a concrete venture of obedience, going beyond our own limitations and experience both our own failures and the Lord’s support. We can read here, how we can exceed our limitations in faith while in the midst of despair, fear, misfortune, suffering and guilt. What helps us is the light from the other shore, Christ, the light that shines out in the darkness, drawing us to himself across these stormy seas and rocks of this world, to his loving arms.

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This week we discover how quietly and simply the Lord can appear in our lives. In the first reading from the prophet Isaiah the Lord appears in a whisper rather than in a mighty manifestation as one often expects.

This Sunday’s Gospel speaks to us about the Christian Ministry which emerges from a deep faith and trust in the Lord.

Perhaps we are being asked this week to reflect on the quiet and simple moments in our lives and how we can in such stillness be ready to listen to his call for each one of us.

Take sometime each day this week to be alone even for a few minutes during a busy day. Take time to be alone with the Lord to be ready to listen to his call for you. Take heed of the words of Jesus to the disciples during the storm:

“Take courage. It is I, do not be afraid!”

Mother Teresa, renowned for her selfless service to the poor, experienced a prolonged sense of spiritual darkness and felt the absence of God for much of her ministry. Her private letters, published posthumously, revealed this struggle, which she described as a "dark night of the soul." You might like to read this article online:

https://ewtn.co.uk/article-mother-teresas-spiritual-darkness-was-not-depression-or-loss-of-faith-scholar-explains/

Some questions to ask ourselves:

Do we rely totally on God and sense his presence in those simple moments of life?

Do I find him in the kind words of another, a peaceful inner thought, in personal silent prayer?

Where are the storms in my life? It may be anxiety over the future the loss of someone close uncertainty in our troubled world?

Can I stay focused in faith and in moments of weakness even when the Lord seems far away?

Prayers of the faithful

Lord help us to find you all things. When life feels uncertain remind us that you are always nearby. Teach us to listen for your gentle voice in times of struggles and fearfulness.

Strengthen us when we feel weak and guide us as we strive to walk with you each day. Help us to be your instruments for one another accompanying each other along the path of life until we reach our final end in you for all eternity.

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Hymns selected are from the Laudate hymnbook:

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315 Lead us, heavenly Father, lead us

423 Centre of my life

683 O Worship the King

934 Dear Lord and Father of mankind

963 Eternal Father, strong to save