By Fr. Andrew Kelly
Sunday’s gathered believing community knows Sunday’s Gospel (Matthew 14:22-33) very well. Jesus’ community of disciples is in the boat battered by the waves, far from the land, for the wind was against them.
Every Sunday, through word, body and blood, Sunday’s Gospel happens within the believing community: “And early in the morning Jesus came walking towards the disciples on the lake.
Jesus speaks to the 2011 “battered” community: “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.”
Peter with great faith requests: “‘Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.’ Jesus said, ‘Come.’”
Peter panics and begins to sink. Peter’s prayerful faith returns in the cry: “Lord, save me!”
“Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught Peter, saying to Peter, ‘You of little faith, why did you doubt?’”
When the community forgets Jesus’ presence it begins to panic and sink just like Peter. Once Peter’s prayer “Lord, save me!” becomes the community’s prayerful faith; Jesus reaches out in rescue.
In remembering, through word, body and blood, Jesus always speaks: “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.” The community never again need sink in despair, panic, hesitance or doubt.
