Jesus gets into the boat first, and the disciples follow Him. So it is with marriage: Christ steps into the boat first and invites us to follow Him. But then the storms come: tiredness, wounds, arguments, children, finances, our mission, differences in temper. And then we begin to think, “Lord, do You not see that we are sinking?” Christ is not outside our boat. He is within the sacrament. He may seem to be asleep, but He is there. Sometimes He allows the waves so that we stop relying on our own strength, stop trying to steer the boat ourselves, and learn instead to trust Him and do what He asks of us. The answer is never to abandon the boat, nor to throw ourselves into the waters of pride, complaint or of demanding too much. Wake Christ up with your prayer! Look at Him with attentive eyes, knowing that only in Him will you find what you are seeking. Obey Him even when you do not understand, and say: “Rise up, Lord, within my heart. Rebuke my fears and bring Your peace.”
Applied to Married Life
Martha: Louis, I think we’re expecting too much from the children when it comes to praying the Rosary together as a family.
Louis: You’ve been talking to your mother again, haven’t you?
Martha: Yes, and what of it? She’s my mother! I’m tired of this constant battle you have with my family.
Louis: And I’m tired of your mother having the final say every time we make a decision.
Martha: She doesn’t have the final say. She simply helps me to see things more clearly. Just as your mother does when you speak to her.
Louis: Martha, all I know is that we need to do this differently. In the end, by listening to everyone else, we end up against each other, and nothing moves forward.
Martha: You’re right… It seems that everyone is speaking in our boat except the Lord.
Louis: Exactly. We ask everyone else for advice, we look to everyone else for support… and we leave Him asleep.
Martha: Just like in the Gospel. Jesus was in the boat, but they were looking more at the storm than at Him.
Louis: And we’re doing exactly the same. We focus on what my mother says, what yours says, what other people will think…
Martha: And only when we’re already sinking do we remember to pray.
Louis: Then let’s not allow that to happen. Before making any decision, let’s ask the Lord for His help.
Martha: Yes. “Lord, save us! We are perishing.”
Louis: And may He show us how to lead our children to Him, without turning it into a battle between our families.
Martha: Agreed. First, you and I will pray together.
Louis: And then we’ll talk calmly.
Martha: And with our phones well out of reach.
Louis: Amen. Because that’s where so many waves come from.
Mother,
Teach us to sail with Jesus, to remain with Him in times of trial, and to believe that no wave is stronger than His presence. Praised be the Lord!