Through the Storm

WHEN disasters strike believers turn to God, finding solace in Scriptures such as Isaiah 55:8-9: “‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.’” Romans 8:28 is another hopeful passage: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” A natural disaster impacted Saint Anthony. Let’s imagine a possible outcome.

Unearthly storm

Examining the map spread out on the table in the captain’s quarters, Menendo shoved his oiled, black hair away from his face. Above the wind’s roaring he bellowed to his navigator, “Simão, where are we?”

Simão’s pointer finger was as thick as a dowel and just as sturdy. “We started here at Ceuta.” He ran his finger across the narrow strait and plunked it down again. “We were headed to Cadiz. Usual route.”

“A while ago, I heard the lookout call, ‘Land ahead.’”

“Captain, that land was not Cadiz. The wind is against us. It’s trying to blow us back to Ceuta.”

Menendo had suspected this. “If we can’t sail against the tempest, then we sail with it. Order the helmsman to turn the ship so that the wind is behind us and Ceuta ahead.”

“Yes, Captain.” Simão’s hand was on the cabin latch when he turned. “In twenty years of sailing, I’ve not seen anything like this, Captain. Sunny skies and then, suddenly, storm’s upon us. It’s unearthly.” Menendo had been thinking similar thoughts.

“If we reach the harbor, Captain, I’m not sure we’ll be able to dock. May I suggest, Captain, that you ask that priest to pray for us?”

Menendo had allowed the priest to board after a Moroccan vendor had paid heftily for his passage. The priest was ill, the vendor had declared. He could barely stand. Menendo had ordered his men to deposit the cleric safely out of the way in the cargo hold, where lemons and limes were piled in bins. Since the priest’s youthful companion was sturdy, he worked for his passage, helping on deck and in the galley.

Frank dialogue

Menendo stepped out of his cabin onto the pitching deck and made his way down into the dim cargo hold where the priest, his back against a lemon bin, was sitting alone on the floor.

Menendo hadn’t addressed a priest in twelve years. Should he kneel?

He knelt on one knee. “Father?”

The priest’s drooping head lifted. The stubbly, youthful face seemed as gray as the light upon it.

Menendo stumbled over his words. “Father António, I am the captain.” How to ask? “Pray for our safety. The men have families…”

“And you? You have a family?”

Menendo floundered. “My wife is in Jerez. I don’t often get there. Last time I was there, we had no children.”

“Let us pray together. For those on this ship and for their families. And then for you and your wife.”

How should Menendo phrase this? The crew knew. But not this priest. “Father, I have been unfaithful to my wife.”

“How many times, Captain?” The voice was serene.

“I don’t know. One or two women in every port. For years.”

“Many times, then.”

“Many, many times.”

“Does your wife know?”

“I don’t know. I hope not. She’s a good woman. She would never do this to me.”

“Are you sorry for these repeated sins?”

“I’m sorry now. But when we dock and I go on the wharves and see a woman…”

“So, this is something you feel you cannot control.”

“I cannot control it.”

“Do you seek other women when you’re home with your wife?”

“Never. I have my wife.”

“You know this is a deadly sin, Captain. Should we all drown on this voyage, at least one of this crew is hell-bound.”

True reconciliation

Menendo’s breath caught. “What should I do?”

“If you are repentant, I can absolve you.” The voice remained tranquil. “But you must avoid this sin in the future.”

“I can’t.”

“Then, if you survive this voyage, you must return to your wife at once and take up an occupation in Jerez. Build a family. Be a husband and a father. Your wife deserves both.”

How could he do this? He’d been on sailing vessels for twelve years.

“Father, that is a difficult penance.”

“Even one of your multiple sins is mortal, Captain. Change is difficult. But not impossible. On one cross on Calvary, a thief converted and was welcomed into Paradise by the innocent One crucified next to him. God is looking at you, Captain. Mercy and love are gazing at you. And maybe death as well. Where do you want to spend eternity, Captain?”

The ship shuddered and seemed to leap forward, throwing Menendo off balance. The priest caught him, keeping him from banging into the wooden bin.

Menendo’s voice came shaky and thick. “Father, I am sorry. For this sin. And for so many more. I will return to Jerez and live with my wife. May God give us a family.”

“Then I absolve you of all your sins.”

Menendo fumbled as he followed the priest in making the Sign of the Cross.

“Do not relapse into this sin or something worse than this storm may befall you.”

Bowing his head, Father António put his hand on Menendo’s shoulder. “Let us pray then, Captain, and suppliantly beseech the mercy of Jesus Christ: that He may come and stand in our midst, may bestow peace on us, and forgive our sins; that He may take all doubt from our hearts and imprint in our minds faith in His Passion and Resurrection; so that with the Apostles and faithful of the Church, we and all this crew may be found fit to receive eternal life. May He grant this, who is blessed to be praised and glorious forever. Amen.”

Meditation

Anthony wrote this prayer in his Sermon Notes for the First Sunday after Easter, now called Divine Mercy Sunday.

The ship which Anthony boarded to return to Portugal was caught in a violent storm within sight of Spain. The tempest blew the ship back the way it had come. Although names and backgrounds of the crew are unknown, we can imagine that, in the face of grave danger, some of these men sought solace in their faith.

Have you ever been in a natural disaster? Were you afraid? Did you turn to God? Do you know anyone who returned to the faith after surviving a life-threatening situation? Have you ever considered that God sometimes brings conversion out of challenge?