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Gospel: Matthew 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.
The Gospel of the Lord.
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This is the first time that the disciples are without Jesus. And what happens?
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Disaster strikes!
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While they’re on a boat crossing the Sea of Galilee, a major storm approaches – one so large it causes these professional fishermen to fear they’re drowning!
Meanwhile, Jesus tries passing them by, walking calmly across the waves. What terrifies the disciples doesn’t disturb him at all.
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Was this a test?
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Perhaps.
Keep in mind, the disciples just watched Jesus feed five thousand people with only five loaves of bread and two fish.
If he can perform a miracle like that, then why would they fear for their safety? Shouldn’t they trust him?
We’d casually say, “Of course.”
And yet, “their hearts were hardened.”
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Like the disciples staggering on a boat, there are times when life causes us to lose our balance, making us feel like we’re drowning.
We get overwhelmed by waves of debt; grief; doubt; COVID fatigue; and so on.
But if the Lord has cared for us throughout our lives, then why would he abandon us now? Even when we must make that final crossing into eternal life, the Lord stands on the waters, saying, “Come.”
We will not sink.
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So, what’s the Gospel saying to us today?
Wherever we are on our journeys of faith – and whatever our life circumstances may be – we will not drown.
Jesus is with us, standing on the waves at the very edge of our comfort zone, saying, “Follow me.”
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Image credits: (1) St. Catherine of Siena, Orange Park, FL (2) San Lorenzo Ruiz Parish, Quezon City (3) Denison Forum