When tomorrow comes will we recognize the grace we have today?

When tomorrow comes will we recognize the grace we have today?

We always want to consider the future our lives will endure when the past events may leave us wanting for a better outlook.  For many the present situation can be frightening and seeking the quickest way from here to there is the closest thought of exiting our present dilemma.  

As I write my eyes see the painting reflecting Mark’s Gospel of the disciples on a sail boat, or small ship, with Jesus asleep in the stern while the waves and wind threaten their lives:  On that day, as evening drew on, he said to them, “Let us cross to the other side.”  Leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat just as he was.  And other boats were with him.  A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already filling up.  Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion.  They woke him and said to him, “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?”  They were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?”  (Mk 4: 35 - 41).

Is this not the very same situation we as human beings often find ourselves in looking for a way to by-pass this terrible storm that surrounds any one of us when we thought today must be better than yesterday?  The very same question the Lord will ask us, “Why are you terrified?”  Why indeed to the daily confrontations that seem to come out of nowhere especially when our thoughts welcome everything from greed, selfishness, and perhaps for many lust?

Do we have the tenacity to walk around these interfering desires that will only let go when we call out to Christ, like the disciples on the boat in a storm, which is exactly where we find ourselves as each evil intent appears to welcome our mind to sin?  He will hear our cry for mercy and his response will be to quiet the waves of confusion and settle the rain of evil content back to where it came from.

Faith!  Where are you that seems to be asleep as the storms in life come crashing in and we must call on the Lord, Christ, to awaken within our soul the very grace of our Baptism to respond:  “Do you believe in the Holy Catholic Church?  Do you renounce the Devil and all of his evil promises? “ I Do; I Do!”  

Awaken my child to my gift of purity as you believe with all your heart and soul.

Ralph B. Hathaway