‘immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not bed afraid.”’
Mt. 14: 27
One of the sayings that trip off the tongues of most of us at some time or another is, “Life is full of surprises.” This usually occurs when we are trying to avoid admitting to an unprepared and unwelcome change; and can be a way of shaking off the event as we hope to return to our comfortable routine.
Today’s Gospel event is one of the greatest surprises for the apostles so far. First Jesus has left them so that he could to pray alone (that will become more familiar to them) and has sent them away!
Matthew’s account is very dramatic and indeed realistic for those of us who have seen the currents on Galilee. Full of panic, they don’t recognise Jesus, in fact so sure are they that they will never see him again in that they were about to die they think they are seeing a ghost. This gives us the simple statement that is the promise of Baptism when Jesus says; -
“Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”
Then we are given further encouragement in another example of Peter’s impetuosity as he dares Jesus to call him to cross the water. How great a surprise it was for Peter when Jesus accepts the challenge. I said we are given encouragement – Peter leaves the boat but then his confidence fails again and he begins to sink: the encouragement comes in that while Jesus does indeed lament: -
“O you of little faith”
he reaches out to him and as they enter the boat together calm returns to them all.
The word “Come” is the same that Peter had heard when Jesus called him to the apostolic band – it is the same call to all the baptised when buffeted by the storms of life from which we are not exempt but are thus strengthened to endure.
Today’s Collect expresses this truth of the Christian pilgrimage as we have asked for God to: -
‘bring to perfection in our hearts the spirit of adoption as his sons and daughters.’
As life becomes more and more automated and artificial it can be easy to overlook the journey we are called to make, even to be diverted from it. It is a stark reality for young people to go to roman villas as see the complicated systems of cleanliness and heating and then in later years be made aware of how even the upper echelons of later eras where in Tudor times had regressed to relying on fir and perfume! We too need ever to be reminded of the need to look for Jesus’ call in the Gospel so that we follow the path of Peter as he stepped out of the boat.
I believe that for the Christian tempted to use the maxim “life is full of surprises” should always be trumped by another, “Life is what you make it!”
For Christians the priority is to focus on Jesus. If we build a strong personal relationship with Our Lord nourished and strengthened through prayer and the sacraments, if he challenges us, as he did Peter, we shall then react with a more positive attitude.
I have spoken of Peter’s impetuosity as giving us encouragement – this comes from Jesus’ ever readiness to turn things around when Peter turned to him – after three denials on Maundy Thursday, once again by the same lakeside, three affirmations led Peter to challenging the authorities in Jerusalem and turning back to face martyrdom in Rome!
The truth is, as we noted in reference to the Collect – Faith grows through life’s experiences. When the storms of life appear to be overwhelming our attentiveness to Our Lord will bring courage, he will always lift us up from drowning and bring us to peace when we reach out to him.
There is merit in being called ‘Easter People’. The hope of the Resurrection leads us to pray and is renewed when we celebrate the sacraments for to the Risen Lord there is no tempest he has not faced and wills to calm for us and no depth, he has not known and from which he will lift us to safety in his arms. All we have to do is accept with humility we may have to reach out and not go it alone!
‘immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not bed afraid.”’