Lot, the Apostles, and Trusting God in Life’s Storms
The men were amazed and said, “What sort of man is this, whom even the winds and the sea obey?” ~Mt 8:27
To me, today’s readings are all about attachment to worldly things.
The angels instruct Lot to go flee to the hills but, he doubts and asks permission to go to the closer, smaller city of Zoar. During the escape, Lot’s wife looks back and is turned into a pillar of salt.
Both of them show attachment to the things of the world. In ancient times, hills and mountains often symbolized places were humanity meets the divine. Lot’s fear compelled him to cling to familiarity, even when the angels assured him nothing would happen until he was safe.
Lot’s wife turned to look a Sodom not out of curiosity for what was happening but as an expression of her attachment to the life she had left behind in the city. Her look is an external expression of “I don’t truly want to go and leave this all behind but…”
Lot was asked to come back to the Lord but he couldn’t let go of everything he had so he asked for a compromise and God granted it.
The gospel story is a variation of the same. Jesus and the apostles are caught in the middle of a storm. They freak out, wake up Jesus, and ask him for help. Interestingly, the apostles were amazed when the sea and winds obeyed Jesus. Why were they surprised? What were they expecting Jesus to do?
Maybe, the boat represents our lives; and the storm, the collection of battles we face. Once our capacity to fight wanes, we desperately recur to Jesus for help and end up surprised when things are resolved with little effort.
To me, Lot’s story represents our attachment to material things; the apostles on the boat, speak to our need to be in control and become a self-made success.
Both of the approaches highlight the gaps in our faith and trust in God.
May today we move through life in full trust that God is in control of everything.
In peace,
~Juan
