In today’s Gospel, there is an interesting story. It’s not a parable, so it’s somehow more meaningful as it shows a relationship between Jesus and Peter that speaks to our own hearts. Here, Jesus invites Peter to an act of incredible faith, and when the apostle fails, Jesus responds to him in a way that Peter will never forget. Besides that, this is a situation in which we too often find ourselves, and Peter’s response is one we have experienced ourselves.
Jesus goes up the mountain alone to pray. He sends the apostles in a boat across a body of water that is prone to sudden, fearful storms. A few miles into the crossing, a storm arises that calls for skills that challenge even these experienced fishermen. Jesus, knowing their danger, comes to them walking across, that is, on, the stormy sea. In their fatigue and agitation, they see Him through the storm and call out, “It’s a ghost!” Jesus calls back, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” (Isn’t that just like Jesus!)
Peter recognizes the voice of His beloved Master, and calls back to Him, “Lord if it is you, command me to come to you on the water!” (And isn’t that just like Peter!) I find it breathtaking that Peter responds to Jesus’ encouraging words Don’t be afraid, not by yelling for help from Him—Stop this storm! Or Hurry up and get in this boat!, but with a cry that shows how in the midst of this storm that could easily be the death of all of them, all he wants is to be as close to Jesus as He can get, even if it means walking on water in a typhoon!
So Jesus calls to Him with one word: Come. And Peter went. Out he goes, onto the sea, and he begins to walk toward Jesus. But at some point he looks down, realizes that he could sink, and, in fact, he begins to sink. He takes His eyes off Jesus, and he begins to fail. Don’t we all?
You know the rest of the story. Peter cries out, “Lord, save me,” Jesus reaches for his hand and saves him. And they get into the boat together. Then the wind died down.
Why did you doubt? Jesus asks Him. Which did He mean: Why did you doubt Me, or Why did you doubt yourself? Or both? We might ask ourselves the same questions. Do I doubt my Lord, or do I doubt myself in asking for His help? Do I think I’m not worthy of being heard? Perhaps we think we haven’t used the right words. (I meet with a person who is bilingual. I once asked her in what language she prays. She told me she usually prays in English, except when she has a big favor to ask. When she has prayed in English, she then says to Him, ‘In case I didn’t say it right, I’ll ask you now in French.’) Or God is not happy with us. Perhaps Peter, too, felt he wasn’t good enough for such a big miracle.
On the other hand, it may be that we doubt God Himself: He has too much to think about to be bothered by my small problems. Or God may be upset with me. Or God is tired of hearing me. Maybe Peter, too, felt foolish for asking Jesus for something so big. But these are never reasons to doubt in prayer. Jesus wants us to entrust Him with our cares and concerns, and to know that His strength is enough to save us. Always. Jesus is showing us that we should never think that He will not hear us when we pray. And He is showing us that no matter how violent the storm, He is with us in the midst of it.
Finally, this story teaches me that no matter how old I am, or how self sufficient I might think I am, or how immature it may seem to me, I can always seek to draw as close to God as I want, especially in times of terror.
‘Bid me come to You across the water….’ ‘Come.’
and then