The Gospel reading we heart today is one of two in St Matthews Gospel recalling storms on the Sea of Galilee, the first in Chapter 8 verses 23-27 and the second, the one we have just heard in Chapter 14 verses 22-33.

The Sea of Galilee is not really a sea, it's actually a large freshwater lake it is 211 metres below sea level and because of its location it can be subject to sudden violent storms. If we think of ourselves in a small boat in a storm we can also remind ourselves that we live in a world surrounded by chaos, danger and threats, whether of a personal nature or larger on a national or international level of social, political, economic or environmental crisis, wars and rumours of wars that often feel overwhelming.

In the first storm in Chapter 8, Jesus is asleep in the boat when the storm starts and the disciples quickly realise the danger and tell Jesus "Save Lord; we are perishing". Jesus responds by rebuking the wind and the waves and the storm is calmed. Often in the Gospels the disciples appear confused about who Jesus is, what he is teaching or what they are supposed to do, for example in Chapter 16 when Jesus tells the disciples to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees the disciples think Jesus is talking about actual bread and he has to explain that he means the disciples to beware the teachings of the Pharisees and Sadducees. In their reaction to the storm though the disciples are "spot on", when the find themselves in a crisis they immediately seek help and make a clear and direct request for help from Jesus.

What can we learn from this? Many things in this world are beyond our control or influence, we are like the disciples in the storm, but Our Lord is in control and we can turn to Him and pray "Save Lord; we are perishing".

We now turn to the second account of a storm on the Sea of Galilee which is today's Gospel reading. This time instead of travelling in the boat with the disciples Jesus has sent the disciples ahead because he is going to a quiet place to pray. The instruction is strange because crossing the Sea of Galilee in favourable weather would take two or three hours and the Gospel tells us it was already late afternoon when the disciples set off, did the disciples think was Jesus planning to walk around the shoreline (taking about twelve hours) to catch up with them by morning? Or was Jesus expecting the disciples to cross the sea, get some sleep and then come back and fetch him? Wouldn't it make more sense to sleep on the shore and then all cross in the morning? Jesus has told his disciples to go ahead, and instruction that doesn't seem to make sense.

The reason why events unfold in the way they do is often beyond our understanding, the reason we are asked to do things that appear to go against conventional thinking, such as turning the other cheek or loving our enemies to name just two present a challenge to us. Accepting that God has a plan, that God is in control and we should pray for God's help doesn't mean we are excused from the need to do something in the face of trouble. As we learn in the Epistle of St James "what good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith, but has no deeds? If a brother or sister is ill-clad and in lack of daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the the things they need for the body, what does it profit? (2:14-15). We have to accept that injustice exists, and respond to the needs of those affected by it.

When the storm arises the disciples are dismayed and initially Jesus is nowhere to be seen, then when he does appear he is walking on the waves, this frightens the disciples and Jesus does not immediately calm the storm but instead reassures the disciples "Take heart, it is I; have no fear". Peter's response is to ask to join Jesus on the water, and he is able to walk on the water "but when he saw the wind he was afraid", when he took his eyes off Jesus he began to sink. Jesus rescues Peter and brings him back to the boat at which point the storm ceases and everyone in the boat worships Jesus saying "Truly you are the Son of God".

Sometimes our response to Jesus either directly or to his presence in another person will put us to the test and will make mistakes. The evil one tells us "look you've failed again, why do you even try?", Jesus says "come to me", the devil reminds us of our weakness Jesus reminds us of his mercy. We are like the disciples, sometimes confused, frightened and not always aware of God's presence. We may feel that we are in a boat in a storm and it can be hard to believe the storm will end. Hope is not passive optimism. It is the confidence that the Holy Spirit continues to work in history, even amidst uncertainty and crisis. Hope empowers us to act courageously, to imagine alternatives and to persevere in the long and hard work of personal and cultural transformation.

May God strengthen our faith, hope and love in the storms and crisis of this life and bring us peace.

Amen

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