Holy Spirit of Jesus, help me be rooted in faith, not fear…

 
Mark 4:35-41

 
Fear (aka worry, anxiety, panic etcetera) makes us do strange things .Often it is fear in one of its many manifestations that interrupts and even ruins the most important relationships in our lives. It was due to fear during a wind storm that the disciples shifted from being a group happy followers of Jesus to a posse of persons yelling over the winds at their Teacher, ”Don’t you care that we are perishing?” –this to the Son of Man who within months would submit to torture and crucifixion for their salvation. Driven by fear, we too can easily lose our cool and think, say and do things that are foolish at best and violent at worst. On the other hand, faith leads men and women to think, say and do things that are wise and courageous. It was through faith that Mother Mary and St. John the Divine remained standing at the foot of the cross when Jesus gave up his life for his friends, that is for the world. It was through faith, the writer of Hebrews reminds us, that God’s plan of redemption for human kind unfolded, and still unfolds, by the choices and actions of faith-full people throughout history.  And it was through this same faith that Jesus rebuked the winds and waves on the Sea of Galilee, and then turned to rebuke the fear that had prompted his disciples in the boat to lash out at him rather than faith-fully ask Jesus for what they needed. As a result, the winds and the waves calmed, and fear-full fishermen became faithful Apostles of the Good News of God’s plan for humankind. When I face challenges or storms in life, will I choose to give in to fear, or faith-fully turn to God to ask for what I need? Holy Spirit of Jesus, help me be rooted in faith, not fear.
 
Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out from their distress; he made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. Then they were glad when it grew calm, and he brought them to their desired haven.  (Psalm 107:19 -21)
 
“May Christ dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the holy ones what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”
Saint Paul writing to the Ephesians 3:17-19
 
 
Soli ad gloriam Dei
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