Matthew 14: 22-36
Immediately 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.”
When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret. After the people of that place recognized him, they sent word throughout the region and brought all who were sick to him, and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak; and all who touched it were healed.
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
Leave the Boat Behind
In today’s Gospel, Jesus comes to his disciples walking on the water in the midst of a violent storm. This passage always reminds me of John Ortberg’s book, If You Want to Walk on Water, You Have to Get Out of the Boat. Ortberg challenges us to embrace the same faith Peter showed when he asked Jesus to call him out onto the water.
If I'm honest, the thought of stepping out of a boat into a storm is frightening. Yet Peter teaches us that faith is not the absence of fear; it is choosing to trust Jesus despite our fear. Like Peter, we often begin with courage but then notice the winds of temptation, doubt, and the chaos surrounding us. Our focus shifts from Christ to our circumstances, and we begin to sink.
In the Ignatian tradition, we are invited to notice what draws us closer to Christ and what pulls us away. Today, imagine Jesus looking at you with love and saying, "Come out onto the water." What "boat” is he asking you to leave behind? Let us ask for the grace to trust him, the courage to step out in faith, and the perseverance to keep our eyes focused on Him, no matter how fierce the storm may be.
—Edith Hudson is a graduate of the Midwest Jesuit's Seminars in Ignatian Formation program, a spiritual director, and the police chief of Marquette University’s Police Department.
Prayer
Let nothing disturb you,
Nothing frighten you;
All things are passing:
God never changes;
Patient endurance attains all things;
Whoever possesses God is wanting in nothing;
God alone suffices.
—St. Teresa of Avila