Matthew 14: 22-33
Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.”
Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
Keeping the Faith
The temptation in today’s Gospel is to view Jesus as someone who fixes our problems. This temptation comes from the fact that in the story that preceded this week’s Gospel, last Sunday’s Gospel of the feeding of the multitudes, Jesus gives bread to the hungry. Moreover, he travels throughout Galilee healing people. So, it is natural to ask Jesus to feed us when we are hungry, to give us more money when we have little, and to cure us when we are sick. Jesus might answer these prayers.
Today’s Gospel offers us not so much a corrective but an emphasis—we need to trust God especially when the storms of life are raging. So often, our faith falters when life’s inevitable storms kick up. In those moments, we, like Peter, hear Jesus say, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” In fact, the waves only calm down once Jesus enters the boat with Peter.
So, let’s do our best to embrace our faith when it seems most difficult to do so. Maybe we can emulate Desmond Doss, the army medic, who turned to his faith to save 75 lives amidst a ferocious battle at Hacksaw ridge in Okinawa during World War II. In the heat of battle, he famously prayed: “Lord, please help me get (save) one more.”
—Fr. Paul J. Shelton, SJ, is the provincial assistant for vocations for the Midwest Jesuits. If you are interested in becoming a Jesuit, or know someone who might be a good Jesuit, visit beajesuit.org.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, our Risen Hope,
You conquered the despair of death and proclaimed the hope of new life.
We are the pilgrims of hope
who have gathered from all over the world to follow you.
In this land, scarred by division and pain,
may we become the witnesses of hope
so that we may follow you and live our days in hope.
Lord Jesus, our Emmanuel,
may we remain in your unconditional love and walk the way of hope.
As we walk your way,
may our eyes reflect your gaze upon the wounded world with love,
may our voices echo your voice that calls to the poor and marginalized,
and may we share your heart that never turns away from those who suffer.
Lord Jesus, our True Peace,
When we are building peace together we truly live our hope.
With the help of the Holy Spirit,
may we carry the love of Christ, our Hope,
and ignite the flame of peace wherever we go.
By means of this,
may your true peace fully flourish throughout the whole world.
Holy Mary, Queen of Hope and Peace
Pray for us to become true friends of Jesus Christ.
St. Ignatius and All Saints and Blessed of the Society of Jesus
Pray for us to find God in all things.
St. Andrew KIM Taegon and all Holy Martyrs of Korea
Walk with us on the way of hope and peace.
Amen.
—Official Prayer of Magis 2027 in South Korea