A reading from Mark 4:35-41

The Calming of a Storm at Sea. On that day, as evening drew on, he said to them, "Let us cross to the other side." Leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat just as he was. And other boats were with him. A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already filling up. Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. They woke him and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" He woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Quiet! Be still!" The wind ceased and there was great calm. Then he asked them, "Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?" They were filled with great awe and said to one another, "Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?" (New American Bible Revised Edition)

Commentary: A lesser wind, like the one stirring up the health care landscape, can blow out the debris, the cobwebs. New payment and patient care models spur us to embrace new ways of doing what we've always done: bring the healing presence of Christ to the people we serve.

When you were a kid, did you ever go outdoors on a windy day with an umbrella?

Try to be Mary Poppins?

But when you're a grown-up, being in the wind isn't so much fun. It messes up your hair. Makes driving a little harder. And in a really strong wind, it's even hard to walk.

What might happen if we were to reframe how we see the winds of change? Instead of seeing the wind as something to resist, what if we approach the wind with curiosity and the playfulness of a child? How can we make the wind work FOR us? FOR our patients and clients?

The Indian poet Rishika Jain said, "When the Winds of Change Blow, Some people build Walls - While Others Build Windmills. ... Remember we cannot change the direction of the Wind, but we can always adjust our sails. ..."

Let us pray.

Father in Heaven, sometimes we feel like the disciples in the boat on the Sea of Galilee, tossed about by the stormy winds.

- Overwhelmed trying to keep up with the day-to-day demands of the job.

- Stressed out trying to meet budget.

- Frustrated with the leadership scorecard.

- Juggling home and personal needs with work.

Then we look up and see Jesus striding across the water. He beckons us to move from the achievements of the past, from the uncertainties of the present, into a future filled with possibilities. Help us to step out in faith confident that You are the one whom the wind and the sea obey.

Empower us to transform our ministry and world that we may continue to fulfill our mission of Christian healing for years to come. In Your Holy Name we pray. AMEN.

CHA is grateful to St. Dominic Health Services/Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System for sharing this prayer resource.