Word to the Wise
Tuesday, August 4, 2015 - Tuesday in the 18th Week in Ordinary Time
[Num 12:1-13 and Matt 14:22-36 or, in Year A, Matt 15:1-2, 10-14,1032]When the disciples saw [Jesus] walking on the sea they were terrified. "It is a ghost," they said, and they cried out in fear. 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 wa 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?" [Matthew]
AUGUST 4, ST. JOHN VIANNEY
If it could be said that any particular event in Jesus' ministry became an almost "signature" event, it was his "walking on water." The expression has entered common parlance for anyone who thinks hightly of him- or herself, or to describe how some people hero-worship a person: "They think he/she walks on water." But to concentrate on the act here is to miss the meaning of the event. The object is not to prove that walking on water makes Jesus divine, but to focus on faith and courage. Jesus speaks "at once" to the terrified disciples. Jesus "immediately" reaches out to Peter. We know that Peter's courage could be shaken under stress, and that is why he is really our representative!
There are always going to be times when we believe that the Lord is asking us to walk on water. We may timidly test diviine patience by saying, "If it is really you..." and discover that the Lord will always call our bluff! I know I felt that way when I was trying to decide about entering religious life! We may feel like the Lion in THE WIZARD OF OZ! The Lord knows about the many challenges and will supply the courage as well if we believe in him. It's like jumping off the side of the pool into the arms of the swimming teacher for the first time. That teacher will help us learn to swim, which is about as close to walking on water as most of us will get! AMEN