Intimidated by a whisper

"Those who always shout are often ignored," people sometimes say (usually quiet people), "Raising your voice lowers your effectiveness."

That advice doesn’t always seem to work in today’s world, but it does resonate with today’s readings.

In today’s Gospel (Mt. 14:22-33), Peter is intimidated by strong winds.

In today’s first reading (from 1 Kings 19), Elijah is not intimidated by rock-shattering winds. Nor is he intimidated by an earthquake or by a terrific fire (even though he is inside a cave).

What intimidates Elijah is “a tiny whispering sound” – for he recognizes it as the presence of God.

People in the world may be distracted and even terrified by loud and destructive things such as storms, fires and earthquakes, but all these things are temporary – even the things they may destroy are temporary.

What is not temporary is God.

When all things pass away, God will still be there. Without God, there is only eternally excruciating oblivion.

We need to attune ourselves to reach beyond the noisy things of this world and to listen quietly for the voice and the presence of God: a voice and a presence that brings peace, joy, and happiness, even when all things pass away.

Be still... pray in the name of Jesus... and listen.