Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat.
But Jesus was sleeping. (Matt. 8:24)
Lord we are frightened
Storms are raging around us on every side
Like the disciples in the boat, we cry out:
Do you not care?
Do you not care that our world seems to be spinning out of control
Spiralling downwards into an endless cycle of division and rage, violence and hatred.
Truths become lies and lies become facts.
Might is right
The powerful rule and the innocent suffer humiliation and contempt.
The Empire of corruption, greed and domination rules
in opposition to your reign of righteousness, charity and equity.
The Empire of hate scorns those who struggle to resist
and to create your reign of justice for all.
Oppressors tell us that there is no alternative to their cruel regimes,
That all resistance is futile, that their power will endure forever.
We turn to you Lord in our powerlessness.
We hear your calm, reassuring voice
Quiet now….be calm. Have you no faith?”
Look around you and see the faith of my disciples
Who, all over the world, work tirelessly for peace and justice
and the building up of my reign of love.
See their faith that does not falter,
their truth that will not be denied,
their love that will not be broken,
and their enduring hope in my power to overcome the Empire of injustice and death.
So do not be afraid. Do not give up hope.
Know that the walls of the Empire are already crumbling.
Do not lose heart. Support one another.
Do not despair of building a better future for those who will come after us.
You, my disciples are the ones who will bring about my reign of love, peace and justice by the witness of your lives and by your action.
Sr. Gemma Corbett HFB