Some sailed to the sea in ships to trade on the mighty waters. These men have seen the Lord’s
deeds,the wonders he does in the deep. For he spoke; he summoned the gale, tossing the waves of the sea up to heaven and
back into the deep; their souls melted away in their distress. They staggered, reeled like drunken men, for all their
skill was gone. Then they cried to the Lord in their need and he rescued them from their
distress.1
Does anything better describe grief
than this passage?
Anyone facing the loss of one they hold dear can identify with this passages. In
our loss, we often feel like an empty shell, like one wandering in the desert. We feel like sailors tossed
about in a violent sea. In the depths and shadow of our sorrow, our souls melt in distress, and we stagger
like drunken men. We stand helpless and all our skill is gone.
How do we respond when we face situations beyond our skill? To whom do we turn?
First, we need to remember that suffering has value. Pope John Paul II told us the the purpose
of suffering is to 'release love': love within ourselves and love from others. In situations beyond our control
we need to turn to friends, neighbors, parishioners, clergy and counselors, and accept their help.
Suffering
challenges our own perseverance. It calls us to exercise and deepen our virtues, to grow in patience and humility.
The final goal of grief is resurrection - personal and spiritual maturity.
Christ in the Storm
by Ludolf Bakhuysen1
Dutch Fishing Boats in a Storm
by Joseph Mallord William Turner2
An English Ship at Sea Lying-To in a Gale
by Willem van de Velde, the Younger3
Fishermen at Sea
by Joseph Mallord William Turner4
The Storma
by Joseph Mallord William Turner5
Second, we need to remember who is the ultimate source of our healing. "Jesus
then said to the Twelve, 'Do you also want to leave?' Simon Peter answered him, 'Master, to whom shall we go? You have
the words of eternal life. Facing situations beyond our control is an invitation to seek God in a deeper and
greater love. It is an opportunity to grow in trust. Jesus said, “Do not let your
hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me.” Jesus asks us to trust Him in all
things - especially that which is most difficult.
And third, facing situations beyond our control reminds us that everything is this life is temporary.
What is permanent is yet to come. Suffering turns our eyes to our true destiny where "He
will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain, [for] the old order
has passed away. In our suffering and pain we often "reeled like drunken men", and all our skill
is gone. Then we turn in renewed faith to the one who truly saves.
Jesus challenges us in all things to trust in Him. He told St. Faustina to paint a picture of
His Mercy with the signature “I trust in You”. So, let us take heart and rely on Jesus as we bring our prayers to Him. Jesus,
I Trust In You!2
Dutch Boat in a Storm
by Titus Lunter6
References
Images
See Tabs: (Resources / Website / Image Resources) for common image sources.
