Memorial of Saint Dominic, Priest
Today's gospel recounts the well-known story of Jesus walking on water. The wind is blowing strong, the waves are getting bigger, the disciples are terrified. They fear the elements, they fear the ghost they think is coming their way. Jesus assures them that it is him. Peter, the leader of the group, responds, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water."
Why does he say this? It seems as though the proof for Peter that they are indeed talking to their Lord and not a ghost is if the Lord will want him there at his side doing the incredible things that he is doing. The Lord commands him to go, and Peter walks on water. But the strong winds frighten him and he begins to sink.
Why does he say this? It seems as though the proof for Peter that they are indeed talking to their Lord and not a ghost is if the Lord will want him there at his side doing the incredible things that he is doing. The Lord commands him to go, and Peter walks on water. But the strong winds frighten him and he begins to sink.
Fear will always make us sink, sink into our own world, into our self-doubts, into our limitations. Fear makes us lose sight of the fact that, as Peter intuited, Jesus wants us there at his side doing incredible things. That's the Christian life. Would that when fear begins to creep up under our feet, we imitate St. Peter and call out the name of Jesus, who will be there to save us and strengthen our faith.