Of Little Faith

August 5, 2008
Tuesday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time

You shall be my people, and I will be your God. Jeremiah 30:22

Peter said to him in reply, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw how (strong) the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Matthew 14:28-30

Piety

Lord, we continue to groan like prisoners in this temporal trap. Free us from that which ties us down. Free us from what keeps us apart from you. Help us to accept your invitation to “Come” to you – an invitation which has echoed down from Isaiah to the evangelists Matthew and John. Strengthen our faith to dive right into the ministry you have prepared for us. Amen.

Study
http://www.usccb.org/nab/080508.shtml

This scene reminds me of another episode in the Good News where the disciples are in a boat and see Jesus. At the end of John’s Gospel – after the crucifixion, when the disciples are afraid, their doubts cause them to retreat into their comfort zone and go fishing. In that episode, Jesus again appears to them and instructs them how to catch fish.

The parallels continue because in John 21, Peter also gets out of the boat. However, this time, his faith is stronger. Peter dives right into the sea in order to get to land and be with Jesus. He has cast away his fears.

Both scenes play out juxtaposed against a Eucharistic meal. In Matthew, the meal is the feeding of the 5,000 which plays out BEFORE the boat scene. In John, the Last Breakfast fish barbeque on the beach takes place after the disciples come to shore to be closer to Jesus.

What marks the differences in the two episodes is the level of faith exhibited by the disciples. In John, that level of faith increases. But today, in the reading from Matthew 14, Peter’s faith and trust in the Lord seems to wane. Peter then turns to the Lord for safety and his faith is restored.

In John’s telling of the boat scene, the disciples’ faith in their own ability as fisherman has eroded. But, through their trust in Jesus, their faith in the Lord and in their ability to carry out the commandments of the Lord is strengthened.

In the reading from Jeremiah, we see how the people’s expression of their faith is shaken as the people are wounded, forgotten, and punished. However, the Lord promises to restore his covenant with the people. “You shall be my people, and I will be your God.” Jeremiah 30:22

In the boat scenes, Jesus acts out his role as their Lord. This loving, generous security helps to strengthen the faith of the disciples once Jesus sees them acting with obedience and humility. “You shall be my people, and I will be your God.” Jeremiah 30:22

In the incarnation, the covenant is restored. In the life of Jesus, the covenant is restored. In the resurrection, the covenant is restored.

Action

Jesus begs the disciples to come to him. They do so with trepidation and little faith. He has the same inviation for us.

What is Jesus asking of you? Will you respond like Peter in Matthew’s Gospel (with trepidation and fear and a shaky faith)? Or will you be the Peter of John 21, diving right into the Sea to race to shore to be in solidarity with Jesus?