A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 14:22-36)
During the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them, walking on the sea. When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified. “It is a ghost,” they said, and they cried out in fear. At once Jesus spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”
In today’s Gospel, as Jesus walks on the sea at night toward the disciples, they are at first terrified at his appearance but at the same time recognize his divine identity. Thinking Jesus is a ghost, they cry out in fear, and Peter says to Jesus: “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” Jesus then invites him to get out of the boat and walk toward him. Peter begins to walk on the water but then becomes frightened by strong wind and starts to sink. He cries out to Jesus, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus saves him and says to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” Once on the boat, the disciples did Jesus homage, saying, “Truly, you are the Son of God.”
God, help me understand the significance of today’s Gospel. Help nurture my childlike faith and trust in you, and free me to live in your peace apart from phantom fears and anxieties that have no correspondence to reality. Instead, let me find in the events of the day that the personhood of reality is Jesus Christ your Son and that he is present with me from the beginning to end of the day.
God, you said to Moses: “Face to face I speak to him; plainly and not in riddles. The presence of the LORD he beholds.” Be with me, Lord!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.