Mt 14:22-33
[After he fed the people,] 22[Jesus] made the disciples get into the boat and precede him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When it was evening he was there alone. 24Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore, was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it. 25During the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them, walking on the sea. 26When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified. “It is a ghost,” they said, and they cried out in fear. 27At once [Jesus] spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”
28Peter said to him in reply, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29He said, “Come.” Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. 30But when he saw how [strong] the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32After they got into the boat, the wind died down. 33Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying, “Truly, you are the Son of God.”
Reflection:
The boat… was being tossed about by the waves. We find our lives at times being tossed about by trials, difficulties, and challenges. When we are at the brink of sinking, what can we do?
First, recognize the storm and the problem. Not being able to identify the storm doubles our fear. Perhaps this is why the weather bureau assigns names to storms. Once we have named our storm, we can prepare to face it. The problem may be your family, not your work; your addictions, not your family; your attitude, not your environment. Name it and you take the first step into beating it.
Second, recognize the Lord. Even our best is often futile against the waves. Let us ask the Lord to help us and bid us come to him. Let us offer him our efforts and ask him to take our hand. He will not fail us or leave us.
Third, have faith and courage. We all go through this. What storms have we not survived and overcome? What difficulties have we not swum through? What storms have we experienced where we have not found the Lord with us in the boat?
I love the sea. I cannot walk on the water. I can bring a life jacket. But that will be a hassle to take along every time I go to the beach. There is a third option. I have learned how to swim; it has made me enjoy the sea rather than fear it.
Walk in the rain.