Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Jesus has fed the multitudes and they are going to once again across the sea. He sends his disciples ahead in a boat so that he can dismiss the crowds and spend time in prayer alone. Jesus ascends a mountain to pray alone. As the evening progresses the disciples encounter stormy seas on their journey and the wind is against them. During the fourth watch of the night, the time between 3 AM and first light, they see a figure coming towards them on the water. They are struck with terror thinking it’s a ghost and they cry out in fear. As he approaches walking in the midst of the storm, Jesus calls out to them, “Take courage it is I; do not be afraid.” This response, “it is I”, in Greek, “ego eimi” is the same response of God as he reveals himself to Moses in the burning bush. This whole scene brings to mind over and again how God is referred to as the master of creation, especially the seas throughout the Hebrew scriptures. In this moment of mystery and awe, the veil slips away, and the disciples are shown Jesus true identity; “I AM”. The very same God who is the master of all creation, who is their Lord. They are struck with awe when they recognize him coming to them on the water.  Peter, with courage and faith is the only one to call out to him asking Jesus to call him to himself. Jesus does so and Peter does the unthinkable and climbs out of the boat into the midst of the storm and begins to walk towards him. His eyes are transfixed on the Lord, but as he inches his way toward him, the storm distracts him. The force of the wind and waves takes over and he begins to waiver as his heart gives way to his senses and fear takes over. Peter begins to sink and cries out for the lord to save him. Jesus reaches out and clasps Peter’s hand and he helps him up. Jesus’ response to Peter may sound like a scolding remark, but the tone in not meant to humiliate, but to encourage. Peter’s faith is still growing and it’s this faith that will be tested in the end. As the two climb into the boat the squall begins to calm and the seas return to normal, just as in Chapter 8, with Jesus rebuking the storm. The other disciples pay him homage recognizing his divine sonship.

St. Peter has always amazed me. He lives with his heart on his sleeve and what you see is what you get. No guile, just genuineness. As the disciples make this journey across the sea and Jesus surprises them walking on the water Peter is the only one who has the courage to call out to him asking him to command him to come to him. That may sound like a strange proposition. Step out of the boat into the churning sea? Crazy?! No, not really. Remember what had taken place just a few hours previous. How Jesus fed the multitude from five barley loaves and two dried fish. While prophets of old had performed this miracle in various ways and on smaller scales, Jesus, however, had manifested God’s power in a way never seen before. This had to have an effect on the disciples. They had to have been swept up in the moment of the sheer numbers of people who were fed and this act of God at Jesus hands. Add to this all that has preceded. If we go back deeper into Matthew’s Gospel, we can see layer upon layer, Jesus making clearer and clearer who he is. Now, in this moment in the midst of the storm the veil is lifted, if just for a moment and Peter sees clearly – “I AM”. The divine revelation of Jesus Sonship. This revelation is a small crescendo.

He asks Jesus, command me Lord and Jesus does. Peter in an act of faith and trust steps out of the boat. At first, with eyes fixed on Jesus, he is fine, but the ferocity of the waves and the force of the wind distracts him, and he loses focus and begins to flounder. He cries out, “Lord, save me!” And Jesus stretches out his hand and he pulls him to safety. “Oh, you of little faith, why did you doubt?”, is less of a scolding and more of an invitation to grow in faith, till then the Lord, now revealed in his Sonship, continues to invite Peter and the others to take a step forward in faith.

There are times in our lives when we see very clearly who Jesus is. We believe and have faith. Our eyes are fixed, like Peter on him. Yet something happens. The worries of life or distractions come crashing in. Illness, injury, heartache, family problems and we are distracted. We lose our focus on him and we begin to flounder. The waves of our anxieties overcome us, and we cry out, “Save me, Lord!” The Lord, however, never fails to reach out his hand and help us to safety and in each moment of saving grace he calls us to grow in deeper faith and trust in him. Calling us to keep our eyes fixed on him.

Every day I am challenged to grow in trust and faith. The Lord is always waiting to help. I have the choice to take or reject his hand in my time of need. To grow in faith or go my own way. I invite you today to take whatever opportunities the Lord presents you with and put your faith in him. He will never fail you.

Peace,

Fr. Steve