Gospel MT 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.

Reflection

Today’s gospel passage is preceded by Jesus learning that His beloved cousin, John the Baptist, had been beheaded by Herod. Filled with sorrow, He withdrew to a deserted place on the other side of the lake.

But He was followed by the crowds who were clamoring for Him to heal their sick. After healing the sick and feeding the five thousand with a few loaves and fish, Jesus once again sought to be alone.

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.

Do you know that feeling, to be so overwhelmed that you just want to go “up on the mountain” by yourself to be with God?

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.

Once again His solitude and grieving were disrupted. His Apostles were in trouble; their boat was about to be swamped by the high seas. So, He left His sorrows behind and went to their aid.

For Jesus the needs of others always came first.

Parents know that regardless of our wants and desires, the immediate needs of our children take precedent. Every person who loves knows the price of love comes with the burning need to be selfless: to sacrifice self for the one you love.

There’s an old saying, “For Christians, the interruptions are our work.”

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?”

There is another old saying, “What is received is received in accordance with the quality of the receiver.”

When, like Peter and the disciples, I am full of fear and anxiety, I too cry out to Jesus to save me.

But what is the “quality of my receiver?”

Do I listen for His answer with faith? Or, do I listen for Him to tell me what I have already made my mind up to do?

My heart knows that Jesus is the pathway to peace and harmony, yet self-will and fear of letting go and letting God, often keep me from stepping out of the boat.

“Growing closer to God is not the result of trying harder but of surrendering more.” Unknown