Recently I read about an event that occurred in the Connecticut House of Representatives back in 1789. According to historical records, one day while the house was in session, a terrible storm blew up. As the members of the house gazed out the windows they saw a sky darker than any of them had ever seen. Terrible flashes of lightening began to fill the sky and deep, rumbling thunder filled their ears. Winds began to howl and trees were uprooted, one after the other. The lightening flashed brighter and brighter, the thunder rumbled louder and louder. Large hail began to fall from the skies as windows were shattered. The members of the House were terrified. Some of the more religious folk began to fear that perhaps the end of the world was at hand. Many of the House members approached the Speaker of the Connecticut House of Representatives, a man by the name of Colonel Davenport, and asked that the House be adjourned so that the members might be with their families as Judgment Day approached. Davenport’s response was immediate. He called the House to order and said, “Gentlemen, the Day of Judgment is either approaching or it is not. If it is not, there is no cause for adjournment. If it is, I choose to be found doing my duty. I therefore ask that more candles be brought to increase our light.” The Connecticut House of Representatives was not adjourned. The storm did come to an end, and the Day of Judgment did not arrive that day. Peace was restored to the house by the speaker’s calm demeanor. As I read the historical record of that day’s events, it dawned on me that Colonel Davenport did what any true disciple is called to do when the storms of life begin to overwhelm. He took stock of the situation and determined that what was needed was not fear, but trust. He trusted that God would want him to be at his duty, not running around, cowering in fear. He also realized that what his colleagues really needed was more light, so that their fear would not overtake them. Davenport was a wise man. Perhaps Colonel Davenport has something to teach us all. Fr. Mark