Word to the Wise
Tuesday, August 3, 2010 - Tuesday in the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time
[Jeremiah 30:1-2, 12-15, 18-22 and Matthew 14:22-36 or 15:1-2, 10-14]And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, bid me come to you on the water." He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus; but when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me!" Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, "O man of little faith, why did you doubt?" And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God." [Matt. 14]
This boat trip is a memorable one! First of all, it occurs on the heels of the multiplication of loaves and fishes! Second it features what many people associate with Jesus as one of his most spectacular deeds, walking on water! Those of a particular generation may recall from the musical, JESUS CHRIST, SUPERSTAR, the song by Herod with the lines, "Prove to me that you're no fool. Walk across my swimming pool!" It is clear that the disciples in the boat were terrified. Their generation was no different from even ours. Ghosts are scary things! Ordinary humans don't walk across the surface of a raging sea! Of course, this is one of the main points of the story. We're not dealing with an ordinary person! But even this "extraordinary" person who calms the weather has trouble calming those disciples!! Fear and fright are the subplot of this incident! It is collective in the boat and it is individual in Peter! As long as Peter stays focused on Jesus, he can do what Jesus does - literally walk on water! The moment he starts worrying about what it is that he's actually doing, he begins to fail. I suppose it's like learning to ride a two-wheeled bike the first time (or, maybe learning to swim!). As long as one just keeps on pedaling, one will ride. If one starts to think about the fact that one has never done this strange thing before, the balance disappears and the fear of falling takes over! It is faith in the teacher and doing what the teacher says that produces results. If Jesus tells us not to be afraid in times of storm, when he is there with us, we could do well to pay attention, especially if we want to do what he is doing! AMEN
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