Day 3: From Fear to Faith

On that day, as evening drew on, he said to them, “Let us cross to the other side.” And, leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat just as he was. And other boats were with him. Just then 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?”
Mark 4: 35-40

Imagine yourself to be in the boat with Jesus and the disciples as described in the Gospel of Mark. You are out, in the middle of the lake, when suddenly, the sky grows dark and the wind begins to stiffen. Sheets of rain start to come down and the waves grow larger and larger. In very short order, the wind and rain are howling around you, the distant shore cannot be seen and waves are breaking and crashing over the sides and into the boat. The simple craft, with you in it, is tossing and turning sinking lower and lower into the water…

While most of us, hopefully, will never know an experience like that described in the Gospel, we are all probably familiar with feelings of fear and anxiety - maybe as great as those felt by the disciples during the storm. Our concerns could be related to academic performance, professional pressures, family worries or the experience of change. What is it in all of those things that causes our fear? Is it a lack of control? Fear of failure? Being worried about the unknown? Is it a fear of pain or death? Maybe all of those things.

While it is true, then, that fear and worry are real it is also true that we often may be afraid of something for no good reason. Think about it – haven’t there been times in your life when you feared the worst and then everything turned out alright? Perhaps there is a lesson in all of that.
Life will challenge all of us, sometimes causing us to be afraid. But, as Jesus urged the disciples, even in the midst of fear we must have faith.

Suggested Activity: Meditation and Reflection Questions

1) The great Christian mystic, Julian of Norwich, had a deep and profound relationship with God. It was said that God even spoke to her these words: All Shall Be Well – And, All Shall Be Well – And, All Manner of Thing Shall Be Well.

Now, begin by quieting yourself and relaxing your body. Breath deeply – gently and fully exhaling and inhaling. Feel all of the worries and stresses of your life leaving your mind and body with each exhale. As you experience this breathing exercise begin to focus yourself on the words spoken to Julian of Norwich. Picture in your mind these words from God: All Shall Be Well – And, All Shall Be Well – And, All Manner of Thing Shall Be Well. Gently repeat this.

2) Reflect upon an event or relationship in your life where you have felt and known fear. Write about it. Where was God in the fear?

3) What are some things you would like to let go of that cause you anxiety? Write them down on a sheet of paper. Pray to let go of these fears – handing them over to God so that you no longer have to shoulder the weight of their burden. When you are ready, crumple up the sheet of paper and dispose of it, giving the fears up as you do so. Feel what it's like to be liberated from them.

Day 4: Balance

As they continued their journey he entered a village where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him. She had a sister named Mary (who) sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak. Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me." The Lord said to her in reply, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.

Luke 10: 38-42

How many of us, so often, have felt like Martha? Busy working, serving others, anxious to get things just right: school work, the office, relationships, home-life.
With our lives so full of activity, we probably don’t feel as though we could be like Mary, resting at the feet of Jesus, even if we tried.

In this story, Jesus Christ does not so much critique Martha’s activity as he reminds her of something she seems to have forgotten: that activity also has a companion in contemplation, work will always need to be balanced by rest, and, anxiety must ultimately give way to faith.

As the saying goes: we’re human BEINGS not human DOINGS. Jesus seems to be telling us that if we don’t take the opportunity to BE than what we DO won’t mean very much. Yes, there are times when what we do matters a great deal and must be prioritized. We have jobs to perform, families to support and care for, responsibilities to meet. But, we would probably all agree we certainly don’t need to be working ALL of the time. With this in mind, are we taking the time to be like Mary as well as like Martha?

Activity and reflection:

Take a moment to close your eyes and relax. Take deep, cleansing breaths exhaling fully each time. Now, imagine yourself as Mary - sitting with Jesus. Despite the activity that surrounds you, you are at peace. Your mind is quiet, the tension flows out of your body and you are surrounded by warmth and comfort. Deeply, in your heart, you know that all will be well…what needs to get done will get done…and, that Christ will be with you through it all. Sit with this feeling of serenity and faith for several moments.

Now, ask yourself:

How balanced is my life? Do I take time for reflection, prayer and relaxation each day? If your answer to these questions is something like “not very” and “no” then perhaps you need to consider finding ways to integrate these into your day.

What makes you feel relaxed? Alternatively, what gives you energy? Make a short list of these things (in your head or written down) and then think of one way you can add them into your life.

Day 5: Authenticity

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

John 14: 6

At last, with these words, we arrive at the essential message of Christ. Jesus knows who he is and he knows that possession of this truth – that he is the way to God – will give his followers knowledge, hope and liberation. In this, we are reminded of another well known exhortation that comes later in the Gospel of John: that the truth will set us free.

If truth holds such promise for us, why can it be so difficult to accept? Maybe because growing into our authentic selves is not an easy task. We often yearn to be something we’re not – we have difficulty accepting our limitations. Or, we don’t always have the time and patience to honestly discern who we are and what we are about.

But, the message of Jesus is clear: through seeking and learning the truth we will be freed. Freed to become the people God has created us to be.

Reflection:

• Growing into your authentic self is a continuing journey. Who are you right now? Think about it and write down 5 words that best describe you.
• Now, ask yourself if the description you arrived at would be recognized by the people you interact with – your family, friends, co-workers. If it would be helpful, ask them to describe you, too. How close do their descriptions match yours?
• Where do you wish to be in 5 years? Write this down. If you are struggling with this question ask yourself why? Sit with this.