If you want to, you mustbget out of the boat

Good morning, happy Tuesday, and many blessings.

After reading today's Gospel, Matthew 14: 22-36, I began to meditate on the possibility that we might be strengthened through the storms that we encounter in our daily live. There are storms of correction (when God disciplines us; e.g. Jonah) and there are storms of perfection (when God helps us grow; e.g. Peter).

In today’s story there is a dramatic revelation of how God cares for us in difficult situations. Jesus spends time praying alone, and surely, he includes you by name. He knows where you are, what is happening to you, and when you need help. So, Jesus comes close and speaks to you: ‘Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid’. Can you hear him in the roaring of the wind or are you fixated by the waves breaking over your little boat? Jesus helps us in our storms, only when we are ready to “need” Him.

This was the purpose of the storm. God wants me to grow. He uses storms to test my faith. This is why the scene shifts to Peter. Peter was a showcase of someone being tested. He tried to get out of the boat and meet Jesus. Only when he took his eyes off of Jesus and looked to the storm, did Peter start to fall. When we concentrate on the storm, we lose focus on Jesus.

The storms of life are not easy, but they are necessary. Someone in one occasion told me that faith is not believing in spite of the evidence but obeying in spite of the consequences. There are three lessons from this story that I want to highlight.

First: If Jesus asks you to do it, you can do it. This is where we often get into trouble. So many times, we have big plans. We work up the ideas and strategize and then we just set out into the chaos and try to fight against it. When was the last time you actually stopped and said, in all honesty, “God, is this your plan? Or am I just trying to do things in my own power and hope that you bless my efforts?”

Second:  If you want to do it, you must get out of the boat. Most of the time, when you actually listen to God and discern what you are supposed to do to rise above the chaos, it is a crazy, scary step that you have to take. Maybe you have to have a really difficult conversation with someone. Maybe you have to admit your own sin in the situation and take some responsibility for the madness. Maybe you have to forgive someone that you don’t think deserves it. Whatever it is, it is totally overwhelming and seemingly impossible.

And third:  When you focus on the wind and waves, you sink. Can’t you just see Peter. He’s looking at Jesus and everything is wonderful. But then, he starts looking around and reality of what’s happening sets in. This isn’t supposed to be possible. Chaos. The wind and waves. His focus shifted. It’s all wind and waves. Everything is wind and waves. Even the good stuff can be wind and waves. If it is not something that God has called you to do, then it is just a distraction that will take your eyes off of Jesus and you will sink. Wind and Waves. If we focus on Jesus we will rise above the chaos.

Blessings

Fr. Luis+