Fr Marco Lazzaron
wo weeks ago, we were left with God’s question: “Where are you, Adam?” Today we are left with another question: “Where are you, God?” This question resembles Jesus’ question on the cross: “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” I think we have all felt the critical experience of abandonment by God, but above all by man, in various private and public situations, at least once in our private and intimate lives.
Let’s start with the beginning of this Gospel: Jesus is taken away from the crowd and, just as he was, they take him onto the boat, giving him a cushion, and they move away from the shore to distance him from the demanding crowd. However, there is a storm, a pitch-black sky, a boat tossed by foamy seas, and a howling wind. They must face those elements, which they knew well because they were fishermen; elements that call to mind “death, terror, fear, anguish, etc.”
This can happen to us as well, we need to face problems we don’t even know how to, and whoever could save us, seems to be asleep and not responding. Often those who could help do not want to get involved, or they shy away, and all we are left with is begging God for help.
“God, don’t you care that we die?” How many times do we provoke God by asking for visible “signs”? The response is prompt, authoritative, solemn, effective, rapid, and decisive: “When he awoke, he rebuked the wind and said to the sea: “Be quiet, calm down!” And with similar words he also rebuked the disciples: “Why are you so frightened? How is it that you have no faith?”
And, after over 2000 years, He is still here to reproach us for our uncertainties, anxieties, financial difficulties, failures, etc. It is starting from that “Who is this…”, that we, must believe more, have more trust in each other, because He is with each of us. The only force that can save us is faith in God, who is infinitely wiser, more powerful, and more benevolent than us: “Cast on Him – St Peter recommends – all your worries because He takes care of you”.
“Fear” knocked at the door. “Faith” went to open the door. No one was there!
And then let’s ask ourselves: as an individual, as a couple, as a family, as a community, can we find in God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit the unshakable strength and trust that allow us to face the storms of our lives?