Take Courage, It Is I: Trusting Jesus in the Storm
Reflection on Matthew 14:22–36
August 05,2025
Today’s Gospel picks up right after the miraculous feeding of the five thousand. Jesus sends the disciples ahead by boat while He retreats alone to pray. As night falls, the disciples are far from shore, and the winds begin to rise. The boat is “being tossed by the waves.” It’s a powerful image—one we can all relate to.
The Sea of Galilee, where this takes place, is known for sudden, violent storms. But what we see here is more than just a weather event—it’s a moment of spiritual testing. The disciples, though experienced fishermen, are overwhelmed. They are tired. They are afraid.
And then—Jesus comes to them, walking on the sea.
The disciples are terrified, thinking He’s a ghost. But Jesus immediately reassures them: “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” This phrase, “It is I,” in the original Greek is ego eimi—the same words God used when He revealed Himself to Moses in the burning bush: I AM. In other words, Jesus is not just calming their fear; He is revealing His divinity. The Lord of creation is walking on the very waters that threaten to drown them.
Then comes the next remarkable moment. Peter, ever bold and impulsive, says, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” And Jesus says just one word: “Come.”
Peter steps out of the boat—and for a moment, he walks on water too! But then he notices the wind. He begins to sink. He cries out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately, Jesus reaches out and catches him. He says, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
This scene gives us so much to reflect on:
1. Storms Are a Part of the Journey
Even though the disciples obeyed Jesus and followed His command to cross the lake, they still faced the storm. Obedience doesn’t guarantee comfort or calm seas. In fact, sometimes following Jesus brings trials. But He never abandons us. He comes to us in the storm, not just after it’s over.
2. Faith Requires Focus
Peter walked on water as long as his eyes were on Jesus. The moment he shifted his attention to the storm, fear took over. This is true for us, too. When we fix our eyes on Christ—through prayer, Scripture, the sacraments—we can walk through things we never thought possible. But when we focus on our fears, our problems, or ourselves, we start to sink.
3. Jesus Saves Immediately
As soon as Peter cries out, “Lord, save me,” Jesus stretches out His hand. He doesn’t lecture Peter first. He doesn’t wait to see if Peter can swim. He acts immediately. That’s who Jesus is. He responds to our cry, even when our faith is weak.
4. The Boat is the Church
It’s no coincidence that this story involves a boat in the storm. From the earliest centuries, the Church has seen the boat as a symbol of the Church herself—tossed by waves, battered by wind, but never sinking. And Jesus comes to us, especially in our fear and confusion, to calm the storm and remind us of His presence. We are never alone in the boat.
At the end of the Gospel, when Jesus and Peter return to the boat, the wind dies down. And everyone in the boat worships Him, saying, “Truly, you are the Son of God.” That’s the fruit of the storm. Through the trial, they come to a deeper faith, a deeper understanding of who Jesus is.
So today, whatever storm you may be facing—whether it’s fear, illness, doubt, grief, or anxiety—hear Jesus speaking to your heart: “Take courage. It is I. Do not be afraid.” Step out in faith. Keep your eyes on Him. And if you start to sink, don’t be ashamed to cry out, “Lord, save me.” He will.
Key Takeaway:
Jesus does not wait for the storm to pass to come to us—He meets us in the middle of it, offering His hand, His peace, and His presence. Keep your eyes on Him, and you will not sink.
No comments:
Post a Comment