Matthew 14:22-33
22 Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24 but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. 25 And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. 26 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.” 28 Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29 He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
Do Not be Afraid
It is so meaningful to read, meditate and pray with this Gospel on the northern side of the Sea of Galilee where these events occurred. May we read the text again and join the Lord with His disciples and the crowd, then may we extract a few lessons for our spiritual life.
Jesus is working the whole day, but he knows no rest without prayer. Prayer is His fountain of energy and His spring of rest. He starts with and ends with prayer equally. Prayer gives Him the power to restart.
In the early morning, walking on the water, He joins the disciples who are on their boat struggling against strong waves and winds. The disciples are exhausted and need to reach the shore, but they see what they think could be a ghost, "they were terrified" (V. 26), but Jesus calms the storm within their hearts and their minds, "Take heart, it is I, do not be afraid" (V. 27).
Peter always has special thoughts, "If it is you, command me to come to you on the water" (V. 28). Peter started to walk on the water, but a few steps ahead, paying more attention to the storm than to Jesus, his doubt led him to sink. He asks for Jesus' help, "Lord, save me" (V. 30). Then Jesus' hand is there and Peter is saved. "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" (V. 31).
The two storms were calmed. Both the sea and the hearts/minds of the disciples regained their peaceful natures. They realized what really happened and they worshiped Him saying, "Truly, you are the Son of God" (V. 33).
Again and again the Gospel reminds us of—
Prayer with Jesus
Faith and trust in Jesus
Keeping Jesus’ word and being sure of His powerful presence
Keeping faith and trust in the most challenging times
Starting and ending every day and every event with Jesus
Remembering Jesus' question to us, "Where is your faith?”
Let’s pray, “Lord, don't look to my sins, but to the faith of your Church. We believe and trust in your word. Fortify our faith and our trust. May your Church walk on the water in hard times and keep her eyes fixed upon you more than on the difficulties and challenges it fights against.”
May I welcome Jesus into my boat. Worship Him with the disciples, proclaiming, "Truly, you are the Son of God.”
Sunday blessings from Galilee