Word to the Wise
Monday, August 1, 2011 - Monday in the 18th Week in Ordinary Time
[Num 11:4b-15 and Matt 14:13-21 or, in Year A, Matt 14:22-36,1031]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?"
The image of Jesus walking on water is almost synonymous with his divinity in the popular imagination! The famous rock opera, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, has a scene in which Herod mocks Jesus by saying, "Prove to me that you're no fool! Walk across my swimming pool!" Of course, Herod is simply indulging his fantasies about power. The real power rests in Jesus and what faith in him can accomplish. This is the whole point of the "story within a story": Peter walking on water!
In the scene of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes that we considered yesterday (Sunday gospel) we learned how we can bring meager resources to the Lord and he works wonders with those. In a boat on a stormy sea, what can we do but either hold on or bail as best we can? When someone comes walking toward us on the water in addition to all the chaos, it can be even more frightening! In the midst of all of this, Jesus says "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid." Peter decides to test Jesus! But it is Peter who is tested! When Jesus gives him the chance to see what it means to try and calm the weather, Peter lasts about as long as it takes to make one or two steps! Then he cries out, as all of us must cry out, "Lord, save me!"
I have encountered persons who believe that their situation is truly one in which God is powerless! Their lives are too stormy and there's nothing that can save them! It is difficult to get them to leave that storm-tossed self-diagnosis and put their trust in God! They will sometimes want God to present credentials, as Peter does! Compared to what God may challenge them to do, the leaky rocking boat seems more secure! It takes faith and courage to realize that the boat is not what saves us! It is the Lord who saves us! I have mentioned these words before and I want to mention them again: "Sometimes the Lord calms the storm, and sometimes the Lord lets the storm rage and calms his child." Either way, we need the Lord who says to us, "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid!" AMEN