DAILY DEVOTIONAL

Thursday, September 13, 2018

Early in the morning Jesus came walking toward the disciples 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, “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 Peter felt 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.” – Matthew 14:25-33

What is faith?  Some interpret this story somehow see faith in Peter’s trying to walk on water, but in truth it is about choosing rather to have faith in Christ.  It seems seldom mentioned, but in the end, Jesus did not have the disciples walking on water but to have faith in both Christ “and the boat”.  The story is about calming the storm whether the storm be on the waters or within the fears of humanity.

Why in the world was Jesus walking on those stormy waters?  To prove His Divinity?  Possibly.  But I rather think that Jesus walked on the water so that He might be in the boat with His frightened and weary disciples.  Jesus was on a mission to be present with them till the wind ceased.  If it were a matter of miraculous power, Christ could have calmed the seas from the shore.  But rather, Jesus waited till He was there in the boat with His disciples to quiet the wind.

Looking back over the stormy times in my own life, it was my keen awareness of Christ’s Presence that enabled me to endure the storm until the stillness returned.  The Lord did not choose to change the stormy circumstance but rather chose to provide courage to this sailor in distress.  And Christ still does.  In the peaceful days, we go exploring, the Lord and I; in the stormy days, we endure.

Always in Christ’s Service,

Fr. CHaritas de la Cruz