A man sits outside in his yard, watching his children play, watching the birds in the sky, watching the world.
Suddenly a gust of wind blows in his face … and he smiles.
Perhaps the breeze brought a familiar aroma that made him think of his childhood. Maybe it was a short burst of cool air on a hot day, reminding him a change in the weather is coming his way. Or maybe it brought to mind an old friend who could use a prayer today.
Nobody knows where the wind originates and nobody knows where it goes. But the wind blows. And it’s been blowing since the very beginning – stirring minds to wonder, men to wander and hearts to action.
Those winds were surely blowing hard in Japan the day St. Paul Miki decided to dedicate his life to the Jesuits, where he would become a great evangelizer of the faith. On today’s Liturgical Calendar, we honor him and 25 of his companions – Jesuits, Franciscans, dedicated Christians and lay people – all of whom were martyred in a single tragic event.
What did the breeze feel like when St. Paul Miki was elevated on one of those crosses by order of the emperor on Feb. 5, 1597 at Nagasaki … hanging there, waiting on the spear that would end his life here on earth?
His final words were recorded by a contemporary writer: “As I come to this supreme moment of my life, I am sure none of you would suppose I want to deceive you. And so I tell you plainly: there is no way to be saved except the Christian way. My religion teaches me to pardon my enemies and all who have offended me. I do gladly pardon the Emperor and all who have sought my death. I beg them to seek baptism and be Christians themselves.”
One by one each of them were killed on their crosses. And the writer records this: “At this dreadful sight, all the Christians cried out, ‘Jesus, Mary!’ … And the storm of anguished weeping then rose to batter the very skies.”
Surely the sounds of the weeping and the cries of anguish were taken up by the wind and blown across the lands that day, carrying the message to those who listen … inspiring them to not fear the blow of a spear.
Funny thing that word … inspire.
We think of it as motivation or a calling to do something. But in reality, its root in Latin is “breathe into” or “blow into” … just like the wind.
In our first reading today, that same mighty wind is present … sweeping over the waters at creation; A reminder that God moved in the wind to take this vast, formless wasteland and bring it the light of the first day of creation.
Perhaps we could use a new blast of wind from God to inspire us to pray more, think about ourselves less and evangelize our world … not just where we dwell today, but wherever the wind guides us.
That makes me think of young men and women who are discerning a call to the priesthood and religious life. What direction is the wind blowing for them?
Of course, the gusts of God are not just for the meek and humble of the land.
In the Gospel today, Jesus our Savior and his companions are literally blown off course on their way across the Sea of Galilee to Bethsaida. As recounted in Mark 6:45 in the “walking on the water” story, they were headed in one direction, only to be “inspired” in another direction. Those winds led them to Gennesaret, where we are told Jesus healed many.
Imagine that … a wind so mighty that even Jesus and his companions are taken off course.
These days, would we allow such a thing? How many times are we so certain that we are on the right path that we stubbornly resist the winds of change when they come roaring across the water?
Back to our man in the backyard … pondering his life, his kids and his world. The winds blow hard and he smiles. What is God trying to tell him in that gust of wind? How is he to be inspired by this moment that will pass quickly?
What messages can we find in the wind if we take the time to listen and pray for guidance?
This is a perfect time to quote a few lines of one of my favorite Bob Dylan songs. I am providing a link to the song if you’ve never heard it.
Meanwhile, keep facing the wind and keep your eyes, ears and hearts open to inspiration.
How many years can a mountain exist
Before it’s washed to the sea?
Yes, ’n’ how many years can some people exist
Before they’re allowed to be free?
Yes, ’n’ how many times can a man turn his head
Pretending he just doesn’t see?
The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind
The answer is blowin’ in the wind
(Blowin’ In The Wind, Bob Dylan, 1962)
