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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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Peter is understandably afraid. Until now, he’s only walked on land. Never would he have imagined walking on water, which could swallow him whole.
Still, the Lord dares Peter to step out of his comfort zone; to trust that he can do something new – something radical – with the Lord’s blessing.
We don’t know how far Peter walked, whether it was one foot or ten before the wind screamed and the waves reached high enough that he lost his newfound freedom and began to sink.
While he trusted Jesus, Peter was lighter than a feather. Only when fear filled his heart did he sink like lead.
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With enough trust, I wonder if any of the other disciples could’ve also stepped out of the boat and walked on water. Was this an honor reserved strictly for Peter?
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Maybe not.
After all, we’ve all walked in his sandals before, standing on the proverbial edge of the boat, knowing that Jesus is inviting us to step out and take a leap of faith.
Whether it’s something small, like a surge of grace leading us to extend or accept an apology.
An addict being invited to stand on the waters of sobriety.
A newly married couple feeling inspired to bring a child into the world.
A young person entering religious life.
Or an otherwise ordinary day when, suddenly, we have the impulse to do something kind, beautiful, or BIG for God.
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Walking on land is boring. We do it all the time.
Every so often we’re called to get our feet wet. To step out and explore the deep, marveling at the one, “whom even the winds and the sea obey” (Matthew 8:27).
What might that look like for me today?
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Image credits: (1) The Storm on the Sea of Galilee, Rembrandt (2) Meistr Dreuke (3) Family Radio