
Dear Visitor or Loyola Retreatant,
It is hard to believe that it is 2010. We are in the “tweens” as I heard someone call it and won’t be out of them for ten years, when we hit the 20’s. Seems a long time away but you can bet your boots that the decade will go by fast. We certainly seem to be in the “tween” times in the world today. We have had another great disaster in our world. Thousands have died in Haiti, thousands lay wounded and without food, shelter or clothing. We have all seen scenes of devastation and miracles of heroism and generosity as men, women and children are pulled from the rubble after being trapped for days. One scene stays with me. Maybe you saw it. A woman trapped deep in rubble for several days, her hand pinned between huge slabs of concrete rendering her unable to move, is finally pulled from the rubble. She is alert and amazingly begins to sing. As she lay on a makeshift stretcher reporter asks her if she thought she would live to see this day. Her answer was simple, yet profound: “Why not?” I saw a scene of others standing around a campfire holding hands and singing hymns. I heard many people professing faith in God in the face of this devastation and others giving themselves selflessly for others. The disaster brought out the worst in people as well. I found it hard to believe that people who had access to water were selling it to hungry and thirsty people; people who had some money. Most had none and were therefore turned away and had to search elsewhere for what you and I take for granted every day.
Those acts of faith reminded me of Peter walking on water in the 14th Chapter of the Gospel of Matthew. The apostles see Jesus walking on water on a windy stormy night when they were on the Sea a few miles offshore. Thinking it is a ghost they cry out in fear. Jesus reassures them; “Take courage; it is I; do not be afraid.” The ever-impetuous Peter challenges the “ghost. “Lord, if it is you command me to come to you on the water.” Don’t play cards with Jesus; He will call you every time. Peter steps out of the boat; does fine for a while; probably turned around and called to his fellows; “Hey, look at me.” Then he saw the storm surrounding him; felt the waves and the wind; took his eyes off Jesus and began to sink. Sound familiar. It’s our story; you and me. We become frightened and become overwhelmed. Stepping out of the boat took some faith; but it was not mature faith. Mature faith happens when Peter is up to his neck in sea water, wind, waves, and completely out of ideas and boasting. When there’s nothing left but one thing, he finds it. Mature faith kicks in when he calls out to Jesus; “Lord, save me!” And then the beauty of the passage hits home: “Immediately, Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him,….” Let’s stop there.
You know what this passage means. We’re walking on water all the time in life; if we walk by faith. Every now and then (maybe more now than then) we become completely overwhelmed; we panic, become frightened when we see what is around us. The answer is simple and we forget it all the time: “Lord, save me!” The reporter asked the woman surrounded and trapped in the devastation of an earthquake if she thought she would live. She she sang and said “Why not?” I don’t know if she said that out of Christian faith or simple doggedness. They sang hymns around a makeshift camp. People did say the Lord will help us out of this. I don’t know why things like this happen. I will have some questions for God when I get to see God face to face – thank you Jesus. In the meantime, Jesus, Peter, and the people of Haiti teach us the lesson we have to learn over and over again. Storms will surround us, no doubt. Mature faith calls out to Christ when we lose sight of him and become frightened and overwhelmed, “Lord, save me!” And here’s the surest thing of all, he reaches out his hand and grasps us. He calls out to us over and over again, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”
Please pray for the people of Haiti. Please come to Loyola to pray and make retreat. Please come and hear those words like you’ve never heard them before. The hand of the Lord is here. Come and let him grasp you by the hand. Christ’s peace.
Sincerely in Christ
Rev. Charles L. Moutenot, S.J.
Director of Spiritual Programs