The calming of the storm

This is the sermon I have prepared today to preach in Dulverton Chapel on Sunday - Second before Lent in Common Worship (Revelation 4 and Luke 8.22-25):

"Master, Master, we are perishing!"

I think that today's gospel story shows the disciples in a very good light. These seasoned sailors had often been in storms on the Sea of Galilee and used their experience and skills to get them through safely but this time it was different. There were strong winds as well as the surprise storm to cope with and the boat was filling with water. They were in danger of sinking and drowning. They knew, and had the sense to see, that this time the situation was too dire for them to conquer alone. In that situation they cried out for help. They turned to one with the capacity to control the elements and return the situation to calm. "They went to Jesus and woke him up, shouting, 'Master, Master, we are perishing!'. And he woke up and rebuked the wind and the raging waves; they ceased, and there was a calm."

Traditionally the Church has been called "Peter's Boat". Today the Anglican Communion "ship of faith" is in danger of sinking amid the storms and winds of contemporary crises which is why the meeting of the Anglican Primates this coming week in Dar es salaam in Tanzania desperately needs our prayers to Jesus: "Master, Master, we are perishing!". The present situation is way beyond resolution by mortals (however holy or wise). Only the Lord of the Church has the authority and power to calm the storm and produce an outcome "for the good of the entire Church in the world". This quote is from the intention suggested for our current "Novena of Prayer to the Holy Spirit".

When a storm rages out at sea it not only endangers those caught up in it directly but also all those living along the neighbouring coast line. The Tsunami of a year ago is a good example of this. In terms of the Anglican Communion this means that every little group of Anglican Christians where ever they are situated, including here in this house, are caught up in what will be focused in Tanzania this week. We need to join in the cry to the Lord "Master, Master, we are perishing!". This is why the primary intention of the "Novena to the Holy Spirit" is not for the Primates but for ourselves "that the Holy Spirit will come into our lives and set us on fire with true Apostolic zeal". Only thus can calm be restored to our storm tossed lives.

I believe that this morning, Jesus is asking you and me as he asked those beleaguered disciples long ago on the Sea of Galilee: "Where is your faith?".