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The Christmas Cycle
of the storm He holds the universe in the palm of His hand. Not even a sparrow shall fall from
the roof without the will of the Father; “the very hairs of your head are all numbered” and not
one shall perish (Mt 10:29 f.; Luke 21:18). “Why are you fearful, O ye of little faith?” (Mt 8:26.)
Unless the darkness had engulfed us, Christ could not enlighten us. There must be a storm
in order that our steadfastness of soul may be tried. But when the storm does come, how our
peace of mind and our soul are troubled! How easily our confidence is destroyed! Sometimes
when we lose confidence we lose love also. We learn that our confidence and love were, after all,
very shallow. Our soul had taken root in earthly things, in the shifting sands of human affection,
in our own fickle self-love and self-will. When the storm comes, we are easily dislodged. We
did not let love take root deeply. Our confidence was not born of the consciousness that Christ
slept and watched in the depth of our soul. “Lord, that I may see.”
In these storms much that was cumbersome and useless in our lives is destroyed. It is good
that it should be so. In these storms we exercise our strength; our faith and trust in God are
strengthened, and we pray with renewed fervor. Do we not wish to grow in these virtues? Why,
then, do we fear the storm? “This is the victory which overcometh the world, our faith” (1 Jn 5:4).
Prayer
May Thy gifts, O God, detach us from earthly pleasures and ever strengthen us with heavenly
nourishment. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. (Postcommunion.)
Tuesday
“Rising up, He commanded the winds and the sea, and there came a great calm” (Gospel). Christ
the Lord is Master of the universe. Even the winds and the waves obey Him.
Christ the Lord is in the boat with us. This fact should be our greatest consolation, for all
power is given to Him. There is nothing that happens in the life of the individual soul or
in the life of the Church which is not known to Christ. His divine wisdom embraces and
measures all things. He is Master of all that transpires in nature and in the life of nations and
states, Master even of the most insignificant events in the daily lives of individuals. He is the
cause of all that comes to pass, even though our meager human understanding is unaware
of this relationship. He often appears to be sleeping, idle, or impotent in the midst of us.
He permits many things that puzzle our shortsighted intellects and cause us to regard the
future with doubt and mistrust. We are persuaded that He should immediately arise at the
sight of injustice and speak the word which would destroy evil and the evildoer. “Lord, wilt
Thou that we command fire to come down from heaven and consume them? And turning
He rebuked them, saying: You know not of what spirit you are. The Son of Man came not
to destroy souls but to save” (Lk 9:54 f.). He remembers all, loves all, and knows how; He
can, in His plan of redemption, save all. Yes, we believe He is in the boat with us, directing
and guiding the destiny of each of us.
“Why are you fearful, O ye of little faith?” (Gospel.) The soul of Jesus is deeply wounded
by any lack of faith in Him. Not blind necessity, nor fate, nor any combination of chance
and the natural law governs the affairs of men, and the universe; but the providence of God
rules all things. “Why are you fearful, O ye of little faith?” How can anyone fear when he
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