Faith in the midst of life’s storm

Friends, in today’s gospel reading (Matthew 14:22-33), we witnessed a powerful encounter between faith and doubt, between trust and fear. This account is not a mere legend or myth, but a genuine event that unfolded in the fabric of reality. Jesus had just finished feeding more than 5000 people in what we know today as the miracle of the multiplication (Matt. 14:13-21), He then sent his disciples ahead in a boat while he retreated to pray on the mountainside. The disciples found themselves in the midst of a tempestuous storm, tossed about by the heavy waves and wind. They felt overwhelmed, disoriented, and afraid. We can all relate to these feelings especially when we find ourselves in the midst of life’s tempest.

But what happens next is a profound lesson for us all. Jesus, in the darkest hours of the night, walks on the water towards the boat. The darkness of the night was not an issue for Jesus, neither were the strength of the wind and waves. When the disciples sees him, their fear only increases, thinking they’re seeing a ghost. But Jesus reassures them, saying ‘Take courage! It is I – The I am! Do not be afraid.’

Peter, in a moment of both boldness and doubt, asks Jesus to command him to come to him on the water. As he steps out of the boat and begins walking towards Jesus, his faith allows him to defy the laws of nature. But as soon as he takes his eyes off Jesus, focusing instead on the wind and waves, he begins to sink. ‘Lord, save me!’ he cries out.

This event speaks to the ebb and flow of our own faith journeys. Like Peter, we are sometimes filled with the boldness to step out in faith, to trust God in the face of challenges. Yet, just as easily, we can become distracted by the storms around us – the worries, anxieties, and doubts – causing us to falter. Think of the times when you made decisions to remain faith-focused, refusing every worldly or material advancement but could not hold on to your decision for long.

Jesus’ response to Peter’s plea is vital: he immediately stretches out his hand and saves him. This reminds us that even in our weakest moments, when our faith falters, Jesus is there to catch us. He invites us to always fix our gaze on him, the source of our strength, amidst life’s trials.

Friends, we’re invited to examine our own relationship with Christ. Are we willing to step out of our comfort zones, trusting in his presence even when life’s storms rage? And when we do stumble, do we have the humility to cry out, ‘Lord, save me’?

May we be inspired by Peter’s initial leap of faith, but also learn from his moments of doubt. Let us strive to keep our eyes on Christ, embracing his constant presence in our lives, and trusting that he will always extend his hand to lift us up, no matter how many times we falter.

May we find solace in the words of the prophet Isaiah 41:10, “So do not be afraid, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” And with the words of Psalm 46:1-3, we find reassurance that, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.”
And, just as Jesus did for Peter, he continues to say to each of us, ‘Take courage! It is I. Do not be afraid.’

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with us now and forever. Amen.

⁃ Fr. James Anyaegbu