By Jonathan Cyr

A few weeks ago I was blessed to participate in the most amazing men’s group meeting I have ever experienced.  I am part of a men’s small group which meets twice monthly on Tuesday evenings.  The group currently consists of about 10 men and typically about 8 of us make it to the meeting.  We have been meeting for about 10 years in our local parish facilities.  These regular meetings help each of us keep focused on our spirituality and being the men that God created us to be.  It works really well for all of us so we have made it a priority in our lives. 

Of course when the COVID shutdown came about we could not meet at the parish anymore and still can’t.  For a few months, we met virtually using conference calling and a virtual meeting app.  We found a way to meet.  We finally decided we would return to meeting in person and conduct our meeting outdoors.  We agreed to meet at the statue of Our Blessed Mother Mary on the parish campus.  And so we did.

On one Tuesday evening a few weeks ago, as we gathered with our lawn chairs near the statue, it was clear a thunderstorm was brewing.  We decided to retreat to the pavilion on campus where we could be protected from the rain.  The pavilion consists of a covered concrete slab which is a little larger than a standard basketball court.  The cover is at least 15 feet high and probably even higher.  We settled onto picnic tables near the north end of the pavilion.  However, when the rain came, it came sideways and we were chased to the south end of the pavilion.  Still our backs were getting wet as we stood to pray.  As the storm moved overhead, the direction of the rain shifted and we were forced to move once again toward the middle.  We still felt the moisture but at least we weren’t actually in the rain – or the lightning.  We saw several lightning strikes and we saw at least one lightning bolt at the same time we heard the thunder clap.  This thing was right over the top of us!

Throughout all of this, we proceeded with our typical meeting of prayer and discussion on spiritual themes.  At this meeting we were discussing chapter 2 of the book, Be A Man by Fr. Larry Richards.  So, as we were getting a little wet and witnessing this thunderstorm all about us and right on top of us, we continued our mission and discussed what it means to be a beloved son of God; to be utterly and completely loved by God and how we respond to that.  We were at least a little uncomfortable, yet not a single man ever suggested we stop the meeting.

As our meeting neared its conclusion in prayer, the lightning and thunder, rain and wind had subsided and all was calm.  The setting sun came peeking through the clouds and provided a beautiful evening sky to behold.  Jesus was with us just as He was with the disciples in the boat during storms on the Sea of Galilee!

So, brothers and sisters, no matter the storm you are enduring, be not afraid and press on about the mission God has given you for He is with you every step of the way.  He will never leave you or forsake you and no matter how it feels, the storm will pass you by and the sun will come peeking through the clouds!

From Live4More Men’s Discipleship Ministry

Picture by Ted Korte

See other reflections by Jonathan at https://jcyr.wordpress.com/