Keeping Focused on Jesus
In the beginning of this weekend’s gospel, we see Jesus going up on a mountain by himself to pray.
Anyone who has attempted to follow Jesus’ example of spending quiet time alone in prayer has probably experienced the challenge of remaining focused and open to the Lord’s movement during that time. Our minds easily wander. Distractions arise; whether it is noise, remember something we need to get done, nodding off because we’re tired, or worries that are on our mind, the challenge we all face is learning how not to let these things distract us from remaining focused on the Lord.
In the first reading, the Lord instructed Elijah to come out of the cave when the He passes by. Elijah waited in the cave, watchful and attentive. When the wind, the earthquake, and the fire came, Elijah discerned that the Lord wasn’t present in any of them. Elijah remained watchful and attentive, until the Lord finally came in a whispering sound. It was then that he recognized the Lord’s presence and stepped out.
Recognizing the Lord’s presence is a skill, and one that we all can develop. Elijah had spent years listening to and obeying the Lord’s commands, coming to know him. At this point in his journey, Elijah was able to sort out the noise and not let it distract him from what was truly important.
We can learn this skill in prayer but it takes time and practice.
In the Gospel, Jesus comes toward the disciples walking on water. Peter boldly asks to join him. When Jesus tells him to come, Peter steps out of the boat. At first Peter’s attention is focused on Jesus. The wind was blowing and the waves were crashing against the boat, but as long as Peter kept his attention on Jesus, all was well. The moment his attention turned away and he noticed the wind, fear moved in and Peter began to sink.
There will be many times in our prayer when the storms of our lives pull our attention away from the Lord and fill us with fear and dread. Like Peter, we might feel as if we are sinking. When this happens, it is easy to become discouraged. It can be tempting to abandon prayer because it seems a waste of time.
But prayer is not useless. Prayer is what keeps us afloat amid the storms of life. Prayer is spending time with the Lord. Prayer is what drives away fear, anxiety, and dread. And when prayer becomes a struggle, we can call out to the Lord for help, as Peter did, and the Lord will immediately come to our aid, as he came to Peter’s. With the Lord’s help, we can trust that the day will come when we are more like Elijah and those storms don’t distract us from what is truly important: keeping our attention fixed on God’s presence in our lives.
Deacon Michael Braun