Walk On Water

 HOMILY NOTES

FR. TERRY RYAN, CSP

MATTHEW 14: 22-33

AUGUST 9, 2020

This is the famous story of Jesus walking on water and Peter, his disciple leader, trying to walk on water.  I look at the guys in the boat and ask which one of them are you or me? 

Disciple One is so scared that he does not even know Peter is climbing out of the boat, walking on water, and then drowning.  Disciple One is all about himself and his fears.  He wants someone to fix his life.  The boat is tossed about in a big storm.  There is no place in him at the moment to connect to anyone’s else’s dilemma.  

Disciple Two see Peter get out of the boat and starts to murmur to himself or anyone nearby, “Oh there goes Peter.  He thinks he is such a big deal.  He is full of himself.  I hope he drowns.  Serves him right.”  Disciple Two is jealous of another’s status, and wishes him failure.  He ignore Peter’s success at walking a few steps on water, and takes some pleasure in Peter falling into the drink.  This fellow’s wounded ego prevents him from connecting to Peter in any helpful way.  

Disciple Three is a worrier and takes no chances, so he is scared about being in a sinking ship.  But he tries to dissuade Peter from taking such a chance.  So he does connect but not such that he would put himself out to save Peter.  “I could drown too!” he thinks.  He has the kind of faith in Jesus that is more dogmatic but not such depth that this disciple would surrender to   the will of Jesus or God.  He has a trust issue.  A lot of people with dogmatic faith, care about the world but play it close to the vest when it comes to taking a chance in helping another person.   

Disciple Four does not hold Peter back, but is ready to assist should things go wrong.  When they go wrong for Peter, this fellow grabs an oar and tries to reach Peter.  No can do.  He is ready to jump in and risk his life to try and save Peter.  But Jesus holds out his hand and all is well as Peter is kept from drowning.  So disciple four is most like Christ.  Christians are supposed to be like Christ.  So which one are you?  And maybe the one who would risk his life here is Judas.  But you have already judged him.  Work on yourself.