The Gospels take us along with the Apostles as they experience the ups and downs of following Jesus. Last Sunday, Peter, James, and John had a mountaintop experience during which they saw Jesus gloriously transfigured. In this Sunday’s Gospel, the Apostles are in a boat being tossed about by waves and wind, separated from Jesus by miles.
In both stories, the Apostles experience fear. Also in both, Jesus seeks them out, comforts them, and tells them to not be afraid. Peter steps boldly into the water to walk to Jesus—a show of his belief in Jesus’ power. But the wind is strong, and Peter, becoming frightened, begins to sink. Jesus is right there to catch him when his fear and lack of faith cause him to falter.
In the midst of the ups and downs of life, we pray that you reach out for Jesus’ hand when you falter. We trust that you will discover—and come to know—that he is never beyond your reach and is always ready to offer comfort and free you from your fear.
Image credit: Distant Shores Media/Sweet Publishing [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
