Do Not Be Afraid ~ A Reflection on the Readings of the Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

1 Kgs 19:9a, 11-13a
Ps 85:9, 10, 11-12, 13-14 (8)
Rom 9:1-5
Mt 14:22-33

The theme of Matthew's Gospel this week is Faith. We find the disciples crossing the lake in the midst of heavy seas and they were frightened. Their boat was being tossed about by the waves and the wind. They became even more terrified when they saw Jesus coming toward them over the water. They believed they were seeing a ghost.

But Jesus reassured them by saying, "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid." (Mt 14:27)

Peter was counting on those words when he asked Jesus to command him to walk on the water toward Him. And for those brief moments, Peter did indeed walk on the water toward Jesus.

But something changed. Outside forces undermined Peter's faith. Instead of allowing his faith in Jesus' words guide and sustain him, Peter let fear enter the picture - fear of drowning in the tumultuous waters of the lake. "Lord, save me," he cried. (Mt 14:30) And Jesus reached out to him.

Isn't this so like ourselves? If we are overcome by doubt and fear in everything we do, we become paralyzed and are unable to accomplish anything.

Jesus calls us to keep our faith, hope, convictions and trust in Him. We can always count on the presence of Jesus during every crisis. When we are in need, He is always there for us, reaching out His hand to us and lifting us up. All we need is FAITH.


~ Image on living wide awake blog