First Reading Ecclesiastes 5:1-7
Second Reading Galatians 3:15-22
Gospel Reading Matthew 14:22-36
Matthew 14:22-36
22Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. 25And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. 26But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. 27But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.”
28Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. 30But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
34When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret. 35After the people of that place recognized him, they sent word throughout the region and brought all who were sick to him, 36and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak; and all who touched it were healed.
The story attributes Jesus’ absence to his need to pray. Jesus dismisses the crowds that have been following him. He sends his disciples to the other side of the sea. He goes to pray alone. So when the disciples meet a storm on the sea, they feel worried. (Who wouldn’t?) Just when they need him most, Jesus is missing. Maybe that’s how it feels today—yet another weekend in the long interruption. Who can we see? When will life return to normal? When will the storm be over? It’s easy to be discouraged. But it’s at exactly the place of discouragement that the disciples see Jesus walking toward them. They mistake who he is, thinking he’s a ghost. But it turns around so quickly that Peter is asking to get into the water, too. A minute ago he was afraid of the storm; now he wants to walk on the waves. The only difference? The savior is walking towards him. What are we afraid of, again?
Holy God, we pray for your presence—that you will meet us in just the place we need—in our worry and anxiety, in our need, and in our hope, in Jesus Christ, the savior. Amen.
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