Follow Anyways

 At once Jesus spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”

Peter said to him in reply, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”

He said, “Come.”

-Matthew 14:27-29

Between August 3 and August 9, the Church used the same Gospel passage - excerpted above - three times: August 3, August 4, and August 9.

The story includes the disciples out at sea during a storm, Jesus coming to them across the water, the disciples mistaking Jesus for a ghost, Peter walking on and then sinking into the water, Jesus saving Peter, getting into the disciple's boat, and calming the winds and the waves.

Three times in a week. The same Gospel passage (with the exception of three fewer verses on 8/9). The same message.

If repetition stands as the mother of all learning, this three-peat passage should provoke us to ponder God's point(s).

First, God sometimes sends us into the storm, "Then he made the disciples get into the boat and precede him to the other side...Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore, was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it" (Mt. 14:22-24). Jesus made the disciples get into the boat. Them entering this storm did not result because of disobedience or ignorance. They followed what Jesus told them to do. Sometimes, following Jesus leads us into storms.

Follow anyways.

Second, Jesus comes to them during the fourth watch of the night, walking to them on the water. The fourth watch equates to around 3:00 a.m. After getting tossed about in the darkness, the disciples see a figure walking on the stormy sea and assume Jesus to be a ghost, most likely compounding their fear and distress. However, what seems scary or confusing can be Jesus coming into the storms of our lives. Even in the darkest, stormiest times of our lives, Jesus speaks to us, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid” (Mt. 14:27). Sometimes, following Jesus leads us into darkness and fear.

Follow anyways.

Amédée Varin, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Third, Jesus calls us to do amazing things. Like Peter, when Jesus calls - and He has called you - move. Do the impossible. Step out onto the water. Put out into the deep. Lower your nets for a catch - despite not catching anything all night. Go into the whole world and preach the Gospel. Turn the other cheek. Go the extra mile. Give up everything, especially any preconceived and limiting ideas of who Jesus is and what He can do. Follow Him, "(Jesus) said, 'Come.' Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus" (Mt. 14:29). Following Jesus might seem crazy or even beyond possibility.

Follow anyways.

Fourth and finally, distractions will mount as we advance in our walk toward and with Jesus. "But when (Peter) saw how [strong] the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, 'Lord, save me!" (Mt. 14:30). Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, not on the winds and the waves. Stay focused on the mission with a relentless intensity and determination. This doesn't mean we ignore the storms or that their continuation means we're doing something wrong. Rather, remain centered on Jesus in the midst of the storms. Following Jesus and the mission He has entrusted to us won't take away the winds and waves.

Follow anyways.

Go into the storm. Have faith over fear. Step out into the impossible. Stay focused on Jesus.

Come what may. 

Follow anyways.

Burn

 "I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!"

-Luke 12:49

A fire needs fuel (think wood, paper, leaves, anything that can burn), oxygen, and heat (spark, air warm enough to cause the fuel to burn) (https://www.nps.gov/articles/wildlandfire-facts-fuel-heat-oxygen.htm).

Once lit, the flame needs ongoing fuel and oxygen to keep it alive. It also needs protection against sources of cold (water) and being suffocated.

As we strive to "Go, set the world on fire" (St. Ignatius), we need to consider how to keep our flame burning bright while simultaneously protecting it from sources of extinguishment.

First, if we no longer have a flame, not even smoldering embers, then we need to get it back. And, we need to get it quickly. Returning more faithfully and frequently to the Sacraments of Eucharist and Reconciliation will serve as the surest way to reignite. Similarly, faithfully and frequently reading the Word of God in the Bible (go here for the readings to get sent to your inbox: USCCB, Word on Fire, or FaithND). If you require more intensive interventions, consider times of retreat and/or spiritual direction. You can't give what you don't have, especially regarding faith.

As the spiritual leader of their schools, Catholic school leaders must have and be ready to share the light of faith with others.

Assuming that your spark/flame/embers remain, taking similar approaches as listed above can help provide continual sources of fuel. However, your fire might be so powerful that it needs more. It needs more than just weekly reception of the Eucharist and once a year reception of Reconciliation (two of the precepts of the Catholic faith). It needs more than just reading scripture and a reflection regularly. If so, amp up these practices - "give us this day our daily bread" and "forgive us our trespasses" - so that you do them more frequently. Think of adopting some other form of prayer - the Rosary (you could start with a decade each workweek day), Chaplet of Divine Mercy, or adoring the Blessed Sacrament for even just a few minutes each day and/or week.

For another source of fuel, and as Catholic school leaders this stands as one of your main responsibilities, spread your fire beyond your campsite. Evangelize. Don't keep the light and warmth of your faith to yourself, lest you burn yourself out. Share the goodness of your faith with others for more fuel.

Like the law of the gift, our flame doesn't extinguish as we give it away, instead it paradoxically increases.

But, in addition to fuel a fire also needs oxygen - space - to burn. With too little margin - think of a weighted blanket quickly suffocating an unwieldy flame - our fire will go out. Ray Johnston, in his book, The Hope Quotient (2015), claims, "Margin is the space between your load and your limit" (p. 141). In roles that almost require overload, how do you find margin?

Put first things first. Stay committed to the most important aspects of your role. Operate at top license. Spend one percent of your time planning for the other 99%. Honor the Sabbath. Again, honor the Sabbath - you serve God not your schools. Do, delegate, and dump. Have holy indifference to tasks that others should be doing and empower them to do those things. Similarly, let go for dear life by no longer doing those things that don't advance our missions. Pray the Examen at the end of the day, if not at noon and at night.

We can't go set the world on fire if we don't have a flame in the first place. Similarly, we need sources of fuel and oxygen or our flame will peter out.

In the end, our fire with which we will go and set the world ablaze will attract others to its light and warmth while also scattering the fear and darkness of the enemy.

So, burn. Brightly. Warmly. Eternally.

For the greater glory of God.

Ite, inflammate omnia. Go, set the world on fire.