Emptiness and storms

Sometimes our lives can feel very empty, fruitless, and rootless.

Sometimes our lives feel like cataclysmic storms, certain to destroy us.

Today's readings (Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-19 and Mark 4:35-41) give us the answer to these challenges: in a word, faith.

The first reading begins with this classic description of what faith is:

Faith is the realization of what is hoped for
and evidence of things not seen.

It goes on to describe how Abraham persevered by faith, trusting in God despite the apparent lack of a path, a permanent home, or even an heir.

The second reading gives us the well-known account of Christ calming the storm: a vivid metaphor that is most apt for many of us in our lives.

"Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?"

He woke up, rebuked the wind,
and said to the sea, "Quiet! Be still!"

The wind ceased and there was great calm.

Then he asked them,
"Why are you terrified?
Do you not yet have faith?"

May God increase our faith, fill our emptiness, and calm the storms of our lives in the name of Jesus.