From this morning's Gospel:
“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?”
When we hear this well-known vignette it is very tempting to immediately focus on St. Peter's weak faith. I would argue that we miss the point by directing our attention to this point. I would rather admire Peter for having the courage to get out of the boat in the first place! After all, that took considerable courage - and faith. Yes, once out on the water he floundered. Without hesitation, though, he cried out to the Lord. And Jesus readily reached out His hand and saved Peter, with but a gentle rebuke issuing from His lips.
We need to follow Peter's example and allow ourselves to get out of the boat and walk towards the Lord. Will we, like Peter, start to flounder and sink? Undoubtedly! But that is not the point. Once out of the boat we simply need to cry out to the Lord and know that He is at our side, always ready to stretch out a loving hand and save us.
If we never even get out of the boat we will never get anywhere. Then we will really deserve the Lord's rebuke!
“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?”
When we hear this well-known vignette it is very tempting to immediately focus on St. Peter's weak faith. I would argue that we miss the point by directing our attention to this point. I would rather admire Peter for having the courage to get out of the boat in the first place! After all, that took considerable courage - and faith. Yes, once out on the water he floundered. Without hesitation, though, he cried out to the Lord. And Jesus readily reached out His hand and saved Peter, with but a gentle rebuke issuing from His lips.
We need to follow Peter's example and allow ourselves to get out of the boat and walk towards the Lord. Will we, like Peter, start to flounder and sink? Undoubtedly! But that is not the point. Once out of the boat we simply need to cry out to the Lord and know that He is at our side, always ready to stretch out a loving hand and save us.
If we never even get out of the boat we will never get anywhere. Then we will really deserve the Lord's rebuke!
