Lord of the Dance

Dear Friend,

Last week on the Gospel mountaintop we saw Peter, James, and John so “very much afraid" that they fell to the ground when the voice came from the cloud. This week, the divine word enfleshed moves across the water toward the disciples and again, they’re terrified. In both stories, Peter, overwhelmed by the magic moment, just wants to do something: “I’ll build you a tent,” he stammered on the mountain. On the water, seemingly desperate to know if all this is really happening, Peter blurts out, “If it’s you, command that I come to you on the water!”

On mountain and sea, the dream/visions eventually subside, and all is calm again. In from their sea voyage, like coming down from a storm swept mountain (cf. Elijah, first reading), the disciples return to their task of learning from their teacher, as the crowds bring Jesus all the sick in need of healing.

Last week at Fiesta Pequeña I watched dance troupes from the Mission porch as they prepared to step out from behind the white screen to take their places up on the church steps. Their hearts of many were pounding. There was lots of nervous conversation I couldn’t hear - excited dancers, like Peter, hardly knowing what to say, no doubt just trying to encourage each other and themselves.

Jesus is Lord of the Dance and more, the Lord of Wind and Sea. The dance is life; the rhythm all creation. He’s shown us what’s possible, what’s beautiful, even in a stormy sea. Prayer is the preparation - placing himself before God, as Elijah did before him - then trusting, listening. And then stepping out, with us and through us, into the exhilarating moments in our own lives. Jesus is with us - You can do it! Don’t be afraid!

Gratefully,

Fr. Dan ofm