(Audio)
I brought upon you such upheaval
as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah:
you were like a brand plucked from the fire;
Yet you returned not to me,
says the LORD.
What do we do in times of upheaval? Do we use them as opportunities to renew our trust in the LORD, to return to him, or do we go our own way? We are meant to have such a special relationship with the LORD that he, and not the news, not social media, helps us to understand the signs of the times.
Indeed, the Lord GOD does nothing
without revealing his plan
to his servants, the prophets.
What are the prophets of the LORD saying about our current situation? In one sense it is what he has always said:
"Yet even now," declares the LORD, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;" (see Joel 2:12).
The prophets call us to increased fidelity, which points to the reason God allows us to experience testing.
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing (see James 1:2-4).
The risk is that we will see only terrors and forget they are tests. God told us in advance that such things would happen. He made them known to his prophets.
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. (see First Peter 4:12-13).
Most of us respond to trials like the disciples in the boat. Because we didn't expect these things we give in to fear and despair and only then finally turn to Jesus at the last minute in a desperate plea to solve our problems.
They came and woke him, saying,
“Lord, save us! We are perishing!”
He said to them, “Why are you terrified, O you of little faith?”
If we had been attentive to the prophets we wouldn't have been surprised. The fact that Jesus was peacefully asleep should have meant that he was with us and that we had nothing to fear. We did not need to give in to panic. Jesus himself would have awoken if it were needful for us. It is actually possible to meet these storms with confidence, even like that of Saint Therese:
Jesus, as was His wont, slept in my little barque. How rarely do souls suffer Him to sleep in peace! This Good Master is so wearied with continually making fresh advances that He eagerly avails Himself of the repose I offer Him, and, no doubt, He will sleep on until my great and everlasting retreat; but, instead of being grieved at this, I am glad.
Story of a Soul Chapter 8After all, Jesus himself is the one of whom the psalmist wrote "Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep" (see Psalm 121:4). It is only at the level of the flesh that there seems to be anything to fear. Every test and trial can serve to perfect our faith if we let grace guide our response.
But I, because of your abundant mercy,
will enter your house;
I will worship at your holy temple
in fear of you, O LORD.
First, I'll point again to what one prophet is saying about our present circumstances:
Now, back to your regularly scheduled worship music: