PUT  YOUR  HAND

IN THE HAND OF THE MAN

WHO STILLED THE WATER,

PUT YOUR HAND IN THE HAND

OF THE MAN WHO CALMED  THE SEA.

 

 

INTRODUCTION

 

The title of my homily is, “Put Your Hand In the Hand Of The Man Who Stilled the Water, Put Your Hand In the Hand of the Man Who Calmed the Sea.”

 

Those are the opening words of a song written by a man named Gene Maclellan. It came out in 1971 – and sold well  over a million records. It was sung by Anne Murray, Donny Hathaway, The Platters and many others.

 

Its message and its meaning can be found in today’s gospel story: the storm on the lake.

 

Jesus tells his disciples to get into a boat and precede him to the other side of the sea. He gets rid of the crowds and goes up into the mountains to pray by himself. He retreats.    A storm comes crashing across the lake and is tossing the boat in the waves.

 

During the 4^th Watch of the Night Jesus came walking towards them – walking on the water.

 

The disciples seeing him on the water were terrified – yelling out,  “It is a ghost.”

 

They were screaming. They were terrified.

 

Jesus says, “Take courage, it is I;  do not be afraid.”

 

Peter replies, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”

 

Jesus says, “Come.”

 

Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus.

 

But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened; and beginning to sink. He cried out, “Lord, save me!”

 

Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

 

After they got into the boat, the wind died down.  Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying, “Truly, you are the Son of God.”

 

Take Jesus’ hand. Put your hand in his hand. “Put Your Hand In the Hand Of The Man Who Stilled the Water, Put Your Hand In the Hand of the Man Who Calmed the Sea.”

 

When you’re at the sea,  see.

 

What will you see,  if you walk down to the Atlantic today, what  will you see?

 

There are some nice benches down there.

 

There are some beautiful birds and boats to see.

 

In the first month of this century – January 2000 – We took a bus from the airport at Tel Aviv – and headed for the Lake of Galilee.  I was with 22 priests on a retreat to Israel. We got to our rooms in a Palestinian Hotel – then had supper – then walked about 2 streets to the lake.

 

Neat.

 

That moment touched so many scenes in the Gospels.

 

Two days later we went out on a boat named Matthew. A storm came up – quite windy – quite stormy.  We had to land in a non scheduled dock.

 

Today’s gospel came to mind big time at that moment.

 

Seeing, looking, watching is key to learning and praying.

 

The Lake of Galilee is worth being on – for growth in and with Jesus.

 

It’s the lowest freshwater lake in the world - 700 feet below sea level.

 

It’s 16 miles long and 9 miles wide.

 

Stephen Duffy – the Franciscan was our retreat director – read today’s gospel when we got on the boat.  10 minutes later – we were hit by the storm.

 

We felt phobia.

 

We felt faith questions.

 

We did what every kid does when scared – we put our hands in our father or mother’s hand.

 

It’s good to experience faith first hand.

 

It’s good to experience Jesus challenge us for lack of faith.

 

It’s good to experience Jesus – not as a ghost – but as a presence – as one we can touch and be healed.