The associated reading for this reflection can be found in your Every Sacred Sunday Mass journal or online here.
A day after my wife Tisa and I celebrated our third wedding anniversary, we got a call from our landlord. She was going to sell our house - the home we shared the entirety of our marriage. I remember us shelving our plans for the day, and crawling back to bed after that call, resigned. Only a few hours ago we were buying plants and happily making plans to redecorate. All of a sudden we didn't know whether we'd be homeless in a few weeks. We were anxious and stressed, thinking about the logistics of moving and worrying about our finances. We were, in some places, tender and broken, thinking about leaving the home we love. That day, and in the weeks that followed, Tisa and I found ourselves in the midst of a storm. It was as if the sky opened up directly above us for a downpour, and we felt everything all at once.
In today’s readings, we see (1) the Apostles in the thick of an actual storm, and (2) Job whose life was hit with not one, but a series of storms. The scriptures show us that life with God does not necessarily mean four seasons of sunshine. It doesn't mean a life free of trials and crosses. For the way of the cross has always been the way of God. In and through our storms, God shows himself to be time and time again a compassionate, faithful, generous, and loving God. A God who not only walks with us, but who himself has taken up our crosses and was crucified on it.
In my search for ways to weather my storm, I find the answer sandwiched between today’s readings in the responsorial psalm - Give thanks to the Lord, his love is everlasting. Gratitude. Even amidst difficulties and trials that come our way. Something we are obligated to do every sacred Sunday. The Eucharist in Greek literally translates to thanksgiving. A part of mass that always stirs my heart can be found at the beginning of the Eucharistic Prayer. The priest exhorts - Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. And we respond - It is right and just. It then goes - It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation, always and everywhere to give you thanks... You see, regardless of circumstance, gratitude is right and just.
I do not say this with the confidence of someone who has already weathered his storm. In fact as I write this, the realtor is putting up a For Sale sign outside our house. And I have no idea where we will find ourselves in the next few weeks, but if today’s readings are any indication, I am grateful that Jesus is with me.
Lord Jesus, this is not the first nor the last storm that you are going to calm. Just as you had in the past, I know that in future storms, you will show that your ways are always better than mine. And even though my heart is wrought with all kinds of emotions, I can still say - thank you for this storm. For through it, I will once again see You who loves me fully. Amen.
Kevin Muico is a missionary and speaker based in Milton, Ontario in Canada. Together with his wife Tisa, they own Friends in High Places - a small business built around their friendship with the saints. When Kevin is not traveling on mission, he likes making coffee for Tisa, taking care of their plants, and playing video games. Come say hi on Instagram or hop on over to Kevin’s discord for some pray and play.