Amazing Grace

There is a story that somehow parallels today’s Gospel reading of the apostles being afraid of the storm at sea, which Jesus calmed down. A man named John Newton had some early religious instruction from his mother, but had never practiced his Christian faith. He was pressed into service in the Royal Navy, and then became involved in the Atlantic Slave Trade. In 1748, a violent storm battered his vessel off the coast of Ireland. He knew he was going to die and he called out to God for mercy, promising that he would change his life, if he was saved. He survived! While his boat was being repaired, he wrote the first verse of what became one of the most popular hymns. He eventually became a Minister in the Church of England and people packed his churches whenever he preached. The hymn he wrote was:                               
“Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that sav'd a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found, was blind, but now I see.

Thro' many dangers, toils, and snares, I have already come;
'Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.”

Let us be aware of God’s presence in our lives. We don’t have to be sinking or drowning to call on Him. He knows what we need way before we ask Him. Just hold on tight to Him, through your prayer life, through the Eucharist, the life-line that always connects us with Him.