麻豆约拍

Good morning.聽 In his poem 鈥淭empest of Storms Blow鈥�, the poet J. Allen Wilson writes of the 鈥榮ilence and stillness鈥� that herald the beginnings of an uncontrollable storm.

Some of us think we know what to do in the unexpected storms of our lives. Some emulate those who manage their lives meticulously; always trying to be in control, alert and on top of things.

But for many, the silence that J Allen Wilson speaks of before the storm is the menacing silence in their own lives before a bout of stress or depression.

In my vocation as a priest, I have seen many people who feel the storms of life and regularly struggle to manage the demands and expectations that are put on them - or that they put on themselves - and to work-out (amongst other things) where they fit into the bigger picture. Our bodies and our brains often feel inept and inadequate to deal with the weight of these demands.

Jesus went to places away from the hustle and bustle of life and the pressures and demands that were being put on him, just to be still and focus. Jesus said, 鈥楥ome to me and rest鈥�.聽 Part of stillness is to filter out all the calls on our attention.聽 An opportunity to put aside our achievements - or lack of them - and concentrate on the moment, to be conscious of the tension we lock in our bodies as we begin to relax. It is a kind of inner stillness even when the world around us keeps moving.

And so we pray - amidst the storms of life when we find it difficult to cope, help us to know that God does not leave us, but is with us even more so than when the waters are still and calm.聽 Amen.