One of my favorite icons depicting the Church is Christ with his Apostles in a boat. Our Lord holds the rudder with the sails up, completely at ease and full of confidence as he looks ahead. Along with the Apostles, the Blessed Mother prays peacefully with her eyes fixed lovingly on her Son.

The idea that the Church is a ship sailing through the waters of time is nothing new. One of the most beautiful churches in the world, Paris’ Notre Dame Cathedral, was built in 1163. The magnificent church is one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture. Interestingly, it is built on a little island reminding the faithful to stay on board the boat with Christ.

The blessings of being with Christ in the boat are extraordinary. Not only does Jesus protect, but he provides his passengers with a vision that addresses the most fundamental questions in life: Where did I come from? What’s my identity? What is happiness and how do I obtain it? Why is there evil? How do I find meaning in suffering? Why is there division and how is it resolved? Where am I going? How will the world end? Is there life after death? With a supernatural vision of the world, including their own place in it, Christ’s passengers joyfully “row together with him” and experience the fullness of life that only he can give.

As everyone is well aware, however, storms batter Christ’s little boat regularly, disturbing the joy and peace of passengers. In Mark’s Gospel, it is natural to identify with the apostles in their near meltdown as the boat is nearly submerged in the violent squall. And yet, the divine Captain, likely fatigued from a long day’s work, rests soundly on a cushion (Mk 4:38). Waking Jesus, they plead, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” It’s an accusation we have all hurled at the Lord from time to time.

Over the centuries, Jesus’ little boat has been riddled with storms. Sometimes those storms come from the outside (e.g., persecutions, plagues, ideologies, cultural and political upheavals, etc.), while at other times they come from the inside (heretical teachings, moral failures, worldliness, etc.). And when things are really rough, as it feels in recent times, those storms come from both the outside and inside. During such unstable times, one would do well to interiorize more deeply the Lord’s words, “In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world” (Jn 16:33).

In the last 50 years, the cultural and spiritual upheavals have swept up new winds causing massive waves to beat against Jesus’ little boat, shaking the lives of his passengers. Thousands have left the Church, including many young people, a flow that continues to the present day. This, coupled with the spiritual confusion and moral corruption of bishops, priests and laity, has left the Church listless in the water. In short, during times like our own, one wonders whether Christ is asleep or in a coma.

As many passengers abandon Christ’s boat for various reasons, another ship gladly waits in the water to bring them on board. This new ship, the US Secular, has much to offer with its spacious deck and captivating amenities. Admittedly, those Christians who board it may get a little homesick and restless now and then. Thanks be to God, however, the new ship has a little museum in the lower deck with a few relics, a little incense, and a page or two of sacred Scripture to alleviate their nostalgia.

But alas, they shouldn’t spend too much time there. After all, there is much to see and do on this new ship! Passengers are no longer bound by a divinely imposed story, but instead have the privilege of creating their own stories, i.e., of determining the meaning of their own lives. They are the directors, producers and editors of their lives. In fact, if they so choose, they can determine the very essence of who they are. Self-creation, in short, is in vogue on this vessel. In terms of sexual expression, possibility is restricted only by one’s imagination (and a little common sense).

Additionally, the new ship has a lovely décor. Posters and signs are plenty with catchy phrases such as “imago Dei” and “Be safe,” reminding all passengers of their common values. Indeed, each person is made in the image of God and the well-being of passengers is truly important. Of course, one should not ask too many questions. For example, it would be terribly impolite to begin an unpleasant conversation about sin and the sickness of the soul.

In our own day, then, there are two ships that sail, each carrying a different vision and reaching different destinations. The little boat of Christ, despite the storms, is heading east to the rising sun, and a land can be glimpsed there. It is the land of promise, of all true fulfillment, with sunshine breaking through and strains of music in the air.

Meanwhile, the US Secular, impressive in its immediate impact, has no instruments for navigation. It steams along without much attention to where it’s going. The rocks in the distance, the vast waterfall ahead and the dark clouds on the horizon are of little concern. Instead, there is a simple raising of glasses and a great cheer, “To us! Live for the moment!” There is, after all, lots to do on board!

Indeed, what a gift and what a responsibility to be able to choose which vessel to sail on through the waters of time. The choice, each day, is ours.

St. Thérèse, pray for us!

Father Andrie is pastor of St. Therese in Deephaven. He can be reached at fr.andrie@st-therese.org. The Local Church is an occasional column featuring Catholic perspectives in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.