Upcoming Sunday Gospel Readings
Sunday 13 August 2017
Matthew 14:22-33
Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.” Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
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We hear this the Sunday after the celebration of the Transfiguration. But note here that this reading from Matthew’s Gospel occurs prior to the Transfiguration. Peter has yet at this point not made his confession of faith in response to Jesus asking who the disciples believe him to be. They are still trying to make sense out of him at this point. Consequently when they see Jesus walking on the water, they are terrified. We would have been if we saw that moment also. But Peter overcomes that fear for a moment, even if it is just a fleeting moment. He responds to Jesus’ invitation for him to come by stepping out onto the water. And for a brief moment, Peter walks on the water with Jesus. It is only when he notices what he is doing that reality sinks in, and he begins to sink. And Jesus reaches out and saves him. Jesus calls us to step out into places where we don’t think we can go. He enables us to take that first step. And when fear attempts to overwhelm us, he is there to save us from our fears, indeed even from ourselves. And when we experience that salvation, there can be little doubt, at least for a moment, about who it is that holds us in his embrace.
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Father Timothy Alleman
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