Word to the Wise
Tuesday, August 7, 2007 - Eighteenth Tuesday in Ordinary Time
[Numbers 12:1-13 and Matthew 14:22-36]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 wase 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?"
The Gospel of Matthew often portrays the disciples as both faithful and flawed. If there is one disciple who personifies that dual portrayal, it is Peter! In being such a good example of that mix of strength and weakness, he becomes a very attractive figure to many. Most likely none of us can claim to be as vivid in either category as he was, but I think I am not alone in identifying with him in the particular incident in this gospel passage - the "Walking on Water" incident. This happens after the first of two accounts in Matthew of the "multiplication of the loaves and fishes." That account shows how Jesus involves the disciples in his ministry of feeding the multitudes - not only physically but spiritually as well. ("There is no need to send them away. Give them some food yourselves....") There the disciples bring their meager resources to Jesus upon command and he uses them to accomplish a great sign. In today's gospel, Peter speaks individually in the midst of great fear and turmoil in a storm, asking for the same power that Jesus is showing. When Jesus shares that power, Peter discovers just how difficult it can be to exercise it. He begins to fear and begins to sink, and cries out as only one of us would do: "Lord, save me!" I know from my own experience as a priest that no matter how I may feel about my inadequacies, I have to do what the Lord has called me to do. The fears and failures are very real but so are the "successes." Those successes don't happen without trusting in Christ and making those first steps in the tossing water. AMEN
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