An attention- getting tool in a disorderly classroom is to whisper. When your world gets chaotic, do you listen for the “tiny whispering sound” Elijah heard? Does the contrast stop you in your tracks and make you wonder? As a follower of Christ, you are a member of a holy people responsible for paying attention to the “whisper” of truth, justice, kindness, and peace.

Whenever shocking events rock the world, many shake their heads and wonder what God is up to. Why would God cause an earthquake or permit a tsunami? Why does God do nothing while those two warring groups chop each other to pieces? Is there a God at all if we live in a world where children die of preventable diseases? Why does God give evil people such free reign to commit grave harm?

The two of them climbed into the boat, and the wind died down. The disciples in the boat, having watched the whole thing, worshiped Jesus, saying, “This is it! You are God’s Son for sure!”

I wanted to be totally alone and crawl inside my head for a while. What better place to do that than among the isolation of farmland and mountains and forests? But it was hardly a peaceful drive.

Brothers and sisters, let us acknowledge our sins, and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries.

The voice of the Lord came through, whether small or in the commanding words of Jesus, and what is needed is to listen for that voice.

Christ has faith-building power over the sea, and by implication over the chaos people frequently encounter. This tale tells its hearers that Christ will protect his own. Have some faith in his care today.

Joy is the infallible sign of the presence of God. —Pierre Teilhard de Chardin