A sermon on Matthew 24:37-44
Fr. Mike Paraniuk
HCP columnist
I witnessed a miracle in the midst of a flood. I was visiting my friend Bob whose house was built very close to the old S.R. 32 road. The road is several feet higher than his front door.
It had rained heavily throughout the day. I remember him saying, "I hope the creek up the road can handle the extra water." It couldn't.
Bob and I looked out the front window to see gallons of water cascading down the hill and across the road. It was a big waterfall of water headed right for his front door. The water gushed toward his house with such force like when the fire department opens a fire hydrant.
No prior preparations were made because flood waters never threatened his house before. The creek was always able to handle any heavy rain. This took him completely by surprise. Bob, his wife and myself gathered towels, placing them at the bottom of the front door, waiting for the water to seep in through the threshold.
The rising of the water revealed the miracle. In front of his house, Bob had placed years ago an old, chipped concrete statue of Jesus. The gushing water should have just knocked down the Jesus statue as it headed for the door. Miraculously, the flood water parted right in front of the statue. It rushed to the right and left of the house causing no damage. The water never touched the Jesus statue. The water never made it to the front door at all.
It reminded me of the miracle when Jesus calmed the stormy waters. It's like Jesus was saying, "Don't worry. I got this."
We watched this miracle in amazement. I asked Bob, "What did you do to make God happy?"
He replied, "I guess God rewarded me for the all the dinners I cooked for you."
Jesus used the image of the flood to urge us to be prepared like Noah. "They did not know until the flood came and carried them all away." (Matthew 24:29.)
Not all floods involve water. Many people experience the unexpected flood of sickness.
How many parents I talked with at Children's Hospital who when talking about the sickness of their child say, "We had no idea this would happen."
That flood carries away their peace and threatens hope for their child's future happiness. One parent declared when his child was diagnosed with a serious illness, "We've been robbed!"
How do I prepare when life tries to steal my peace and future happiness? You must put Jesus in the midst of your flood.
"Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand." (Is. 41:10.)
Believe that Jesus is there when you reach back to hold on to Him. I believe in a Jesus who is happiest when you reach out to Him with faith. He is eager to help you.
If Jesus can use an old, broken statue to protect my friend's house, how much more will the real Jesus protect the house of your soul when life tries to steal your peace?
One thing we know for sure. The day will come when Jesus will call you home. I offer this quote to help you prepare for when you see Jesus face to face:
"Take this world as it is and not as I would have it,
Trusting that you (God) will make all things right.
I surrender to your will so that I may be reasonably happy in this life,
and supremely happy with you forever in the next. Amen."
Happy Advent.