Lord, save us

As Jesus got into the boat, his disciples followed him. Suddenly a violent storm came up on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by waves; but he was asleep. (Mt 8:23-24)
The sea is the image of life that each of us is called to embark upon in our fragile boat. There are lulls of good weather and there are recurring tempests. This voyage is inevitable and can instill fear and anxiety, especially in today's society where anonymity dominates and it is easy to feel alone. We may feel as though we are drowning in the hostile waves on a moonless night. Shore seems like a distant and foggy mirage. The limitations of others create a heavy burden, ballast that renders rowing more difficult.
From the moment of the Incarnation, God has placed His boat alongside ours on these terrible waves. What's more, He asked Peter and now asks us to let Him come into our boat. From that moment, there no longer exists nights that are not illuminated by the light of faith, weak as it may be. It is true that there are days in which Jesus seems to be deeply asleep and the waves threaten to overwhelm us. Our prayer seems to be drowned out by the winds. We may even say, I no longer know how to pray. There is only one prayer full of an anguished cry that rises to our lips: Lord, save us!
This is the sincerest prayer because it rises from the depths of our being where we find ourselves face to face with our existential poverty. It is there that He is present, though asleep. He sleeps in order to re-awaken our drowsy faith. He sleeps but His heart keeps vigil. Let us listen to Him and treasure His words full of tender reproach, 'Why are you terrified, O you of little faith?'

(From Friends and Servants of the Word, June 30, 2009)

Trust

I was with a friend yesterday and we talked about what she calls the "spirituality of trust". I think it is what I need especially when the difficult times become more frequent and much longer. Sometimes the scenario is just so overwhelming, options either too limited or totally absent, and change isn't so near the horizon, so hope becomes a little more difficult, or even impossible.

It is then that I am called to trust, that at this particular moment, with this particular experience of incapacity and of void, God is present.

Crossroads

so there's no need for turning back coz all roads lead to where we stand.

Part of growing up spiritually is learning to be grateful for all things, even our difficulties, disappointments, failures, humiliations. (from Minute meditations)

Life goes on

In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life. It goes on. (Robert Frost)

I am in a very reflective mood nowadays. I listen to old music and Barbra Streisand's voice echoes what is inside me "no matter how we try some good things never last". Yeah, why can't they last?

Two friends of mine end their emails with this quote: One of the reasons why people hold on to memories so tight is because memories are the only things that don’t change when everything else does …

In the Transfiguration narrative, the three apostles witnessed something extraordinary and they wanted it to stay forever. "Rabbi, it is good that we are here! Let us make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah", said Peter, James and John. If these three people had expressed it so, I guess it's normal to feel this way.

But change is the most constant thing in life. We are never the same person. Isn't there a saying that goes: you don't cross the same river twice. You change, the river changes.

Each day, each person, each experience is a gift. They are not to be hoarded. They are to be enjoyed, to be received as a gift, then to be let go. Yet, something of it remains with us: in our thoughts, our hearts, in the way we speak, in our gaze, in the way we see, in the gesture of our hands, in our gait. We are never the same person. Life goes on.

An imperfect life

Our world on earth, of course, is not perfect though we strive to do the right things. We make human mistakes which cannot be undone; they can only hope to be rectified at best. We must trust that the Lord understands our sincere intentions for good and forgives us when our feet stray from the path. When we have lived a meaningful, though not perfect life, we may go to our maker in joy.

(Beverly Elaine Eanes)

Joy

Today is my birthday. As is our usual practice, a prayer was offered for my intentions. The sisters thanked God for the gift of my life and for my simple and joyful presence. I was keeping myself from crying as the prayer was said. What an irony. Joy.

I am in a rough time right now that I find myself uttering this prayer several times a day: Lord, just let me get through this moment.

I do not ask God to take away the suffering, but just to give me a little respite or I will break.

Joy. What is joy, after all?