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I had a free evening last weekend and I excitedly got some good food and plopped in front of my tv to find something to watch. I have access to three different streaming platforms but as I scrolled through each of them, I felt like there was nothing to watch. How was that even possible?! This has happened before and what I end up doing is finding some documentary, either on crime or sports and sort of half-watch it while working on other things. This particular doc was following various professional athletes as they train and compete. You see some of the behind-the-scenes prep and the struggle for many of them to remain at the top of their game while balancing the demands of training, the pressure of big matches, and the inevitable self-doubt and disappointment that comes from losing. More and more of these premier athletes work with sport psychologists to clear their minds and remain focused on winning and improvement. The author James Clear, explored the practices of highly successful athletes and professionals in his book, Atomic Habits. What he found was that, by and large, most of them found success by constantly improving in little ways all the time. Also, they generally were not vastly more talented than others. Instead, what each of them shared in common was the ability to stay focussed when others got distracted, discouraged, or overwhelmed. In other words, “what looks like a talent gap is often a focus gap, vision is the bottleneck of talent.” Their ability stay focussed on the game, their training, and the things around them was the actual talent that people like Wayne Gretzky, Michael Jordan, Tom Brady, and so many other elite athletes used to become the GOAT of their sport.
Our Scriptures reveal this same truth on a spiritual level. The difference between a saint and sinner is not some sort of special favor mysteriously give to some and not others, nor is a thing some are born with and others will never have. Instead, the ability to grow in holiness in some small way each day and to focus on what is most important in any given situation while blocking out what is not, that is what makes a person great in their practice of faith.
In the first reading, Elijah, who is fleeing the wicked King Ahab and murderous Queen Jezebel, has the opportunity to encounter God. The Lord tells him to stand outside the cave and wait for him. First comes a mighty wind, then a tremendous earthquake, followed by a roaring fire. Each of these had been manifestations of God in the past but in this moment, they are distractions. Elijah remains focussed through it all and the moment he hears the tiny whisper, he recognizes the presence of God. From this tiny whisper, he will receive encouragement, direction, and confidence on what comes next. Elijah was one of the greatest prophets, not simply because of what he said or did but because of his ability to stay focussed on God which then led him to say and do what the Lord wanted every step of the way.
Then we have the wonderful story where Jesus walks on the water. In this famous scene, Peter and the disciples are getting beat up by a storm at sea. We often focus on the fact that Peter doubts and sinks but we should remember that he and the other disciples are in the boat, first of all, because of faith. Just before this scene, Jesus had fed the massive crowd who had been with them the entire day. Next, Matthew tells us, Jesus made the disciples get into a boat and precede him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. Some of the apostles were fishermen and they would have known better than to get into a boat and head out onto the Sea of Galilee on a stormy night. And yet, at Jesus’ command, they go, trusting in his knowledge more than their own. Their faith is already at work! When they spot Jesus walking towards them on the stormy sea, some react in fear; it is too much to believe that this could actually be Jesus. But not Peter. Faith got him into the boat and now faith leads him out of it too! If Jesus can stand above the storm, Peter wants to be there with him. What an incredible boldness and belief? Can most of us honestly say that we desire to be with Jesus in the middle of whatever storm seems to distance us from him? Or do we prefer to remain in the relative safety of our boats, which are tossing and scarcely staying afloat. For a remarkable moment, for as long as he stays focussed on Jesus, Peter does the impossible; he walks on water. And not some glass-like surface but a tortured sea that terrified even those who made their living on it. It is only when he pays more attention to the wind and waves that he begins to sink. Like a world-class athlete, Peter immediately re-focuses, stops the momentum of doubt, and cries out to the One who can save him. Without hesitation or lag-time Jesus reaches out to raise him up. As soon as we turn to Jesus, he responds and rescues!
The Fathers of the Church loved this story and the rich image it provided. The boat represents the Church and it requires faith from us to get in when we would rather stay on shore. The boat also represents the little shelters and securities we create for ourselves throughout life. Sometimes they are enough in the calm waters of daily life but are no match for the massive storms that come upon us and quickly overwhelm. When we are focussed on Jesus, we can leave the sanctuaries we have created and find true peace in moments and places the world thinks to be impossible. But the key is that we stay focussed on the Lord! If our eyes wander to the storm, the sickness, the struggle, or to anyone or anything besides Jesus, we will begin to sink. In those moments, like St. Peter, we must re-focus and call on Jesus, through prayer, through the sacraments, by embracing his Church and her teachings, and know that immediately he will help us and bring us to the spiritual safety only he can provide.
Today we recognize the power that is provided when we stay focussed on the Lord. It is not a matter of talent but of vision and knowing what is truly important. His presence and love shows us the next steps in adversity, it makes possible the impossible, and raises us above the storms of life. We ask for that grace to focus on who and what is most important and to quickly cry out to Jesus when we falter. He will not disappoint and he will not fail us.
