All Things are Possible with Faith

All Is Possible with Faith
A Reflection for Sunday, August 10, 2008
By Rev. Robert Johnnene OFD
Mission Sts. Sergius & Bacchus/Franciscans of Divine Mercy
www.missionstsergius.org


It was Peter who answered. ‘Lord,’ he said ‘if it is you, tell me to come to you across the water.’ ‘Come’ said Jesus. Then Peter got out of the boat and started walking towards Jesus across the water, but as soon as he felt the force of the wind, he took fright and began to sink. ‘Lord! Save me!’ he cried. Jesus put out his hand at once and held him. ‘Man of little faith,’ he said ‘why did you doubt?’ And as they got into the boat the wind dropped. The men in the boat bowed down before him and said, ‘Truly, you are the Son of God.’ Matthew 14:22 – 33
These words are taken from the Gospel for this Sunday and which tells the story of how Peter when he saw Christ walking on the water toward them in the midst of a raging storm began to walk on water but became frightened and began to sink as he called out to Christ.
This story is very important to us because it is a very strong reminder that if we give ourselves over totally to having faith and trust in Almighty God, all things are possible if what we are seeking is God’s will.
Think about the times we have attempted to do something but lost faith because what we were trying to do was extremely difficult.
Now picture in your mind being before Christ, what is He going to say to you? Will he Say; “Person of little faith, why do you doubt?” or will He tell us “have patience and persevere and you will achieve because you have faith and what you are doing is God’s will”.
I can relate because in the past few months I have asked myself if this ministry is God’s will or should I abandon it. Every time I feel this way, something happens to give me the courage and the strength to continue.
It might just be an email from someone that we have reached with our message of God’s infinite mercy and love that simply says; “Thank you, your Reflection often it is the only spiritual reflection/sermon that I find inspiring.” It might be that I receive a notice from PAYPAL that a donation of $5.00 has been received or a note that says; “I love the fact there is a Mission that is inclusive and so welcoming of the GLBT community.”
Sometimes it is a chance encounter with a person in the market or on the street that comes up to me and asks if I am a priest and could they talk with me. It is those moments I find the inspiration and the affirmation to continue to mission no matter how difficult it is for me.
Prayer and the Eucharist are also places I find strength and they are the foundation of having faith.
We are reminded in Matthew 17:20 “Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."
We have to keep in mind that the Mustard Seed is a tiny seed but it grown into a large tree.
Now, the question we have to ask ourselves is, “How much Faith do we really have?”
Do we have enough faith to believe that everything God created is good and it is human frailty that often turns the good to bad?
Do we have enough trust and faith in God to believe that God is a loving and merciful God as Christ taught us?
Do we have enough faith to dismiss the nay Sayers that try to tell us we are not welcome or acceptable to God because of divorce or our sexual orientation?
Do we have the faith to believe that God created all people equal and intended for them all to have equality and equal justice under the law?
When Peter believed that it was Christ walking toward them on the water he was willing to attempt to walk toward Christ but when the winds began to torment him, his faith disappeared and he started to sink.
Christ did not let him sink, but reached out a hand and hauled him to safety and into the boat.
So it will be for us, if we call out to God for help when we have doubts. God will reach out and bring us back to safe ground.
All we have to do is believe and have enough faith to place our trust and faith in God and call to Him for help.
He will answer in the way that is best for us and for our salvation. That is what I believe and I trust it is what sustained me through all my difficult times and gives me the strength to carry on even though it is not easy.
Never give up and loose your faith in God. Without God nothing is possible except chaos, suffering and pain. With God, all things are possible even those that seemingly are impossible.
Have Faith and put your trust in God and He will be there to guide you and assist you in living through all difficult times and finding the rainbow and light at the end or your storm.
God bless you and keep you safely in the palm of His hand. AMEN