The Gospel today (Mt 14:22-36) as suggested for Years B and C of the liturgical calendar narrates an aspect of the experience of the apostle Peter with regard to his faith at the moment of fear. It was also read yesterday in many parts of the world as reflects the weekday missal or lectionary, since we are in Year A.
After feeding the multitude, Jesus made the disciples proceed ahead of him to the other side of the sea in a boat while he stayed back to discharge the people. In the middle of the night, he came towards the disciples walking on the sea. The disciples, upon seeing a figure walking towards them on the sea, became terrified. They thought it was a Ghost. But Jesus calmed them down with the words “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” Peter, wishing to be assured that it was Jesus, asked for the ability to walk on the water. But he was not Jesus, he was a mere human and so, upon relying on his human capacity, his faith failed. It belongs to humans to doubt and to lose faith in the face of great challenges. Peter realising that his faith has failed cried out – “Lord, save me!”
Trusting In and Depending on God’s Power and Grace
One of the reasons why we often succumb to fear and self-doubt is due to the tendency of humans to rely on their human capacity and their own strength. Hence, the first approach in the face of a great challenge would be an inward trust on oneself. Nevertheless, today’s Gospel asks us to accompany our self-reliance with interdependence – to accompany our potentials with trust in our loved ones and their support. Faith allows us to believe beyond our own limits. Such a trust enables us also to fortify our trust and dependence on God.
That is why St Paul is the Apostle of Grace. He recognises his weakness even in his great calling and knows that it is on God’s grace that we live and move and have our being. Hence, he offers us a number of thoughts “I can do all things through him who strengthens me” Phil 4,13; “My grace is all you need, for my power is the greatest when you are weak” 2 Corinthians 12:9. These words of the great apostle remind us that our faith is built on God and that without him we can do nothing. This does not imply removing our human responsibility or dependence on a second or third party.
Rather, it is a matter of interdependence. Alone we can do nothing. Peter was aware of God’s power to save and so was courageous to call on him in the face of his doubt and loss of courage. Trust in God’s power and believing in his words stills our fears and doubts and enables us to regain courage when it is lost.
Jesus the Healer and Redeemer of Humankind
After making the crossing to other side of the sea, Jesus and the disciples landed at Gennesaret. When the people of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding countryside. People brought to him all those who were sick and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak, and as many as touched it were healed.
Healing of body and spirit belongs to the redeeming work of God which Jesus accomplishes. One might ask: If God does really heal us and care for us despite our sins and if we are indeed liable to mistakes, why does God punish our sins. Like in the first reading (Nm 12:1-13), Miriam was struck with leprosy after castigating and being jealous of Moses – God’s beloved prophet.
God does not punish us, but we sometimes bear the consequences of our sins, especially when we do not repent of them. Sin is necessary to reveal the depth of God’s mercy and to let us know that God’s forgiveness surpasses his punishment. But the recognition of mistakes and true repentance from sin is part of the process of being assured of God’s forgiveness.
The experience of forgiveness gives us a new insight into human existence, especially, that failure is part of our life and that we do not lose faith in the forgiveness and power of God. This is what the Sacrament of Reconciliation offers us. It renews our faith, hope, and trust in God. The significance of its uniqueness is that it offers us the opportunity for a new and fresh start. But it all depends on how much we trust in God’s power and his ability to save us.
