Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Dear friends in Christ
There is a moment in the Gospel that never loses its power. The disciples are battling against the wind and the waves in the darkness of the night when they see Our Lord coming towards them, walking upon the sea. At first they are terrified, but then comes the reassuring voice: Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid. Peter, ever generous and impetuous, replies: Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water. At Christ's invitation, he steps out of the boat and, astonishingly, begins to walk upon the waves. Yet, as soon as his gaze shifts from Christ to the strength of the wind, fear enters his heart. He begins to sink and cries out those simple words which have become the prayer of every Christian: Lord, save me! Immediately Jesus stretches out His hand and takes hold of him.
The episode is far more than a miracle; it is a picture of the Christian life. The sea represents all those forces that threaten to overwhelm us: anxiety, disappointment, illness, uncertainty, the pressures of daily life, and even our own sins. The boat is the Church, sometimes tossed by storms, yet never abandoned by her Divine Master. Peter represents each one of us.
There are moments when faith seems effortless. Prayer comes easily, hope is strong, and the Lord feels close. There are other times when the winds rise, confidence falters, and we begin to look more at the difficulties than at Jesus. It is then that we discover an important truth: faith is not confidence in ourselves; it is confidence in Christ.
As we continue our journey through the summer months, perhaps with opportunities for rest and reflection, we might ask ourselves a simple question: where is my gaze fixed? If it is fixed only on the world's uncertainties, discouragement is inevitable. If it is fixed on Christ, then even amid the storms we shall know His peace.
The Lord still comes to us in the midst of life's troubled waters. He comes in the Holy Eucharist, in the quiet of prayer, in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and in the fellowship of His Church. His words have not changed: Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid. May we have the courage of Peter to step out in faith, the humility of Peter to cry for help when we fail, and the confidence of Peter to allow Christ to take us firmly by the hand.
God bless you all!
Msgr Kevin Hale