At once Jesus spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”
Peter said to him in reply, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”
He said, “Come.”
Between August 3 and August 9, the Church used the same Gospel passage - excerpted above - three times: August 3, August 4, and August 9.
The story includes the disciples out at sea during a storm, Jesus coming to them across the water, the disciples mistaking Jesus for a ghost, Peter walking on and then sinking into the water, Jesus saving Peter, getting into the disciple's boat, and calming the winds and the waves.
Three times in a week. The same Gospel passage (with the exception of three fewer verses on 8/9). The same message.
If repetition stands as the mother of all learning, this three-peat passage should provoke us to ponder God's point(s).
First, God sometimes sends us into the storm, "Then he made the disciples get into the boat and precede him to the other side...Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore, was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it" (Mt. 14:22-24). Jesus made the disciples get into the boat. Them entering this storm did not result because of disobedience or ignorance. They followed what Jesus told them to do. Sometimes, following Jesus leads us into storms.
Follow anyways.
Second, Jesus comes to them during the fourth watch of the night, walking to them on the water. The fourth watch equates to around 3:00 a.m. After getting tossed about in the darkness, the disciples see a figure walking on the stormy sea and assume Jesus to be a ghost, most likely compounding their fear and distress. However, what seems scary or confusing can be Jesus coming into the storms of our lives. Even in the darkest, stormiest times of our lives, Jesus speaks to us, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid” (Mt. 14:27). Sometimes, following Jesus leads us into darkness and fear.
Follow anyways.
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| Amédée Varin, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons |
Third, Jesus calls us to do amazing things. Like Peter, when Jesus calls - and He has called you - move. Do the impossible. Step out onto the water. Put out into the deep. Lower your nets for a catch - despite not catching anything all night. Go into the whole world and preach the Gospel. Turn the other cheek. Go the extra mile. Give up everything, especially any preconceived and limiting ideas of who Jesus is and what He can do. Follow Him, "(Jesus) said, 'Come.' Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus" (Mt. 14:29). Following Jesus might seem crazy or even beyond possibility.
Follow anyways.
Fourth and finally, distractions will mount as we advance in our walk toward and with Jesus. "But when (Peter) saw how [strong] the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, 'Lord, save me!" (Mt. 14:30). Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, not on the winds and the waves. Stay focused on the mission with a relentless intensity and determination. This doesn't mean we ignore the storms or that their continuation means we're doing something wrong. Rather, remain centered on Jesus in the midst of the storms. Following Jesus and the mission He has entrusted to us won't take away the winds and waves.
Follow anyways.
Go into the storm. Have faith over fear. Step out into the impossible. Stay focused on Jesus.
Come what may.
Follow anyways.
