Gospel: Matthew 14:22-33
Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore, was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it. During the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them walking on the sea. When the disciples saw him 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 was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught Peter, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” After they got into the boat, the wind died down. Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying, “Truly, you are the Son of God.”
In our Gospel, Jesus saw to it that Peter and the other disciples got
into the boat and went ahead to the other side of the lake while He went up the
mountain to pray. Unfortunately, the boat encountered a severe storm and was
battered by huge waves. In the midst of that frightening journey, the disciples
found themselves helpless before the power of the storm. They needed Jesus, but
He was not physically with them.
Early in the morning, they saw Jesus walking on the water toward them.
What a beautiful sight it must have been! In the middle of their fear and
uncertainty, Jesus came to them. He did not remain distant from their struggle.
He entered into the midst of their storm, reminding them that they were not
forgotten and that they were never truly alone.
How often do we find ourselves in a similar situation? There are moments
when the storms of life become so overwhelming that we feel helpless,
frightened, and uncertain about what lies ahead. Sometimes our problems seem
bigger than our strength, and our fears seem louder than our faith. Yet, just
as Jesus came to His disciples in the midst of the storm, He also comes to us.
His presence may not always remove the storm immediately, but His presence
gives us the courage to face it.
We, too, are presently in the midst of severe storms—not storms at sea,
but storms brought about by life's challenges, uncertainties, disappointments,
and struggles. Let us not allow these storms to paralyze us. Instead, let us
turn to Jesus in prayer and place our trust in Him. Let us remember that we do
not face our struggles alone. The Lord sees our tears, hears our prayers, knows
the burdens we carry, and remains faithful even when we cannot yet see the way forward.
And perhaps this is what our deepest need truly is: not merely for Jesus
to change our circumstances, but for us to remain close to Him in every
circumstance. Let us seek Him not only when we are drowning in problems, but
also when life is peaceful. Let us pray not only because we need something from
Him, but because our hearts long for Him. May our relationship with Jesus
become so deep that, whether the sea is calm or the waves are raging, we will
always know where to turn.
Therefore, let us remain hopeful and prayerful, no matter how dark,
disordered, or stormy the horizon may appear before us. Let us hold on to the
promise that after darkness comes light, after disorder comes order, and after
the storm comes peace and calm.
When the storms of life come, will we have a faith that simply cries out
to Jesus for rescue—or a love for Jesus so deep that we will continue to seek
Him even after the storm has passed? And when everything becomes calm again,
will our hearts still thirst for Him?—Marino J. Dasmarinas
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