THIRD SUNDAY AFTER CREATION DAY
22 September 2013
Readings:
Key Verses (using the World English Bible):
Isa. 43:2: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not overflow you.”
Mark 6:49-50: When the disciples “saw [Jesus] walking on the sea… [they] were troubled. But he immediately… said to them, ‘Cheer up! It is I! Don’t be afraid.”
Reflection
My mother says she has a “great respect for the sea”. In translation, this means she’s afraid of water. She doesn’t know how to swim (neither do I) and doesn’t really like going to the beach (neither do I—I know, we’re boring!). But the way she summarizes her hydrophobia, I believe, is both wise and telling, for it accurately captures our conflicted relationship with the element of water.
Water is as essential to life as air is. We humans, as you probably know, are made up mostly of water. We can survive about three weeks without food, but only three days without water. Water cleans our bodies from dirt and germs. And after a long day under a hot sun, how nice is a cool bath, shower, or dip in the lake? But we all know the dangers of too much water. A baby or toddler can drown in less than an inch (2.5 cm) of water. Most of us might still recall the devastating effects of the tsunami following the 2011 earthquake of Tohoku, Japan.
The Bible, and consequently our faith, reflects that same contradictory relationship between humans and water. Water is the source of the Egyptians’ despair and anger during the Plague of Blood; later it drowns them in the Red Sea. Walls of water become Israel’s escape route away from the troublesome Egyptian army; later Israel gives Moses trouble when they can’t stand their thirst any longer.
Today’s readings, however, focus on a relationship that’s neither conflicted nor contradictory, but rather resolute and consistent. “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you,” says God. We confess in our tradition that this same God, who once parted the sea, now, in Christ, walks on it in peace, to calm its churning rage. These stories aren’t interested in showing a God who takes pleasure in the death of a nation, nor in the fright of confused disciples. No, they want to show a God who chooses to free a vulnerable people, and to lead them home; a God who chooses to climb into a frail boat, and sail to shore with his disciples; a God who wants to rescue his people, to cheer his people, and ultimately to be with his people.
My mother’s “great respect” for the sea might better be classified as “fear”, fear of the unpredictability of water. But God is not unpredictable. God’s promises are sure; therefore we have nothing to fear.
Prayer of the Day
God, our Creator,
as we face the storms of this world,
we celebrate the wonders of wind and weather.
Help us to see your presence,
not only in the forces of nature,
but also among those who suffer from natural disasters.
Teach us to recognize that your Wisdom
is imbedded in all natural forces,
a Wisdom that guides, controls and limits them;
in the name of Christ, the Wisdom of God,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, renewing all things in creation,
now and forever.
Amen.
—adapted from the liturgy of “Storm Sunday”, Season of Creation
Hymn: “How firm a foundation”
(Words: “K.” in John Rippon’s Selection of Hymns, 1787; adapted by Joseph A. Soltero, 2013
Tune: ‘Foundation’, The Sacred Harp, 1844)
How firm a foundation, O saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in Christ Jesus, the Word!
What more can he say than to you he has said,
To you that to Jesus for refuge have fled?
“Fear not, I am with you. O be not dismayed!
For I am your God and will still give you aid.
I’ll strengthen you, help you, and cause you to stand,
Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.
“When through the deep waters I call you to go,
The rivers of woe shall not over you flow,
For I will be with you, your troubles to bless,
To free you and hallow your deepest distress.
“When through fiery trials your pathway shall lie,
My grace, all sufficient, shall be your supply.
The flame shall not hurt you; I only design
Your dross to consume, and your gold to refine.
“The soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to its foes.
That soul, though all hell shall endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake!”
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