4-Aug-15

Gospel MT 14:22-36
Jesus made the disciples get into a boat
and precede him to the other side of the sea,
while he dismissed the crowds.
After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray.
When it was evening he was there alone.
Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore,
was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it.
During the fourth watch of the night,
he came toward them, walking on the sea.
When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified.
“It is a ghost,” they said, and they cried out in fear.
At once Jesus spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”
Peter said to him in reply,
“Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”
He said, “Come.”
Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus.
But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened;
and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him,
and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
After they got into the boat, the wind died down.
Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying,
“Truly, you are the Son of God.”
After making the crossing, they came to land at Gennesaret.
When the men of that place recognized him,
they sent word to all the surrounding country.
People brought to him all those who were sick
and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak, and as many as touched it were healed.

Reflection:

Seeing Jesus walking on water gave Peter enough faith to overcome his fear and bravely attempt the impossible.
"Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus."
Faith is the birthplace of courage.
"But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened."
Fear is the birthplace of doubt.
As he began to sink, Peter...cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him and asked, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
This is the question that I ask of myself, "Why do you doubt?"
Every time I have cried out, "Lord, help me," Jesus has been there for me.
Yet, still I worry and I doubt.
It's almost as if I hear Jesus asking, "Jim, how many times must I prove myself to you before you will believe that I will never abandon you?"
I believe Peter was the best choice to lead our church not only because of his great faith, but because we are able to relate to his weaknesses and his doubts.
In the end, by his life and his own death on the cross, Peter taught us that faith truly is the birthplace of courage.
The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!" Luke 17:5