We all go through stormy passages in life. Sometimes, it’s a sudden, violent squall that buffets us such as when a brief illness or injury lays us up. Sometimes, it’s an earth-shaking thunderstorm that comes at us in a drum roll of unnerving press releases announcing one plant closing after another. And, at other times, it’s a category four hurricane that blows away everything in its path - -our home, our marriage, our savings and health.

In the midst of the storm’s fury, our survival instincts and adrenalin may sustain us for the period of greatest havoc. It’s during the aftermath of the winds and rain, in the muck and mire and detritus of our shattered lives, that the ongoing emotional storms can drag us under. That’s when our faith must uphold us.

Our nation has entered a period that will sorely test our faith. The aftermath of this tempest will be with us for a long time. Steering our way through this stormy passage will take a steady hand at the helm.

The apostles in today’s Gospel were experienced fishermen. They must have recognized the signs of an impending storm, yet when Jesus said, “Let us cross to the other side,” they pushed off from shore, believing He would protect them. However, their faith was quickly shaken when Jesus fell asleep in the stern even as the swells turned to chop and waves broke over the boat, filling it up. In a panic, they scuttled to the stern and cried out,  “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”

On awakening, Jesus calmed the gale but He also rebuked His apostles for having so little faith. He made a distinction between the wind and waves and the emotional storm that had the apostles trembling with fear. His response to the fishermen sends a message to all of us when emotional storms threaten to swamp us. Stay at the helm. Steer into the wind and waves, take them head-on. Trust in your God-given abilities.