Storms, faith and Margaret

As Jesus got into a boat, his disciples followed him. Suddenly a violent storm came up on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by waves;  but he was asleep. They came and woke him, saying,

“Lord, save us! We are perishing!”

He said to them, “Why are you terrified, O you of little faith?”

Then he got up, rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was great calm.  (Mt. 8:23-26)

Looking around today, there are many storms brewing.  Whether it is at home or abroad, secular or religious, environment or economics, there is no end to dark clouds, lightning and strong winds.  Their number is legion and their size is as a leviathan and hope seems lost.

"Why are you terrified?"

But....but...look at the storm!

"Why are you terrified?"

We are to be consumed!  Save us!

"Why are you terrified?"

We are terrified because we lack faith.  It is not that we do not believe, but rather that we, at our core, do not trust.

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding." (Proverbs 3:5)

This reminds me of the legend of saint Margaret of Antioch.  During her imprisonment and torture, a great dragon appeared to her as she prayed. The beast swallowed her whole, but  the cross she wore about her neck (some versions say by the sign of the cross) split the belly of the dragon asunder and she appeared unharmed.  The allegory here is plain, for the dragon is the Adversary which is willing to devour us.  It is by her faith that Margaret defeats the Adversary and survives unscathed.

When the storms are raging hard, Trust in the Lord and know that She will provide.  Have faith, dear friends, and God will provide.  I can't say how, nor when...but it shall happen.  It always does.