Fear Vs. Faith

The title of this blog entry comes from the commentary that was written for Mass on this August 3. The gospel today is from Matthew 14:22-36. It is the account of Jesus walking on the water and the disciples thinking it is a ghost. Our Lord assures them by saying, "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid." Of course, Peter being the spokesperson says, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." Jesus invited Peter to come out and he did. However, Peter became frightened and began to sink and Jesus reached out and caught him. In reply to this, Jesus said, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt." A beautiful lesson for us, do not doubt and have courage and faith. According to the commentator there is another beautiful message to take from this gospel. "The point is not that Peter lost his focus and thus sank. He should never have left the boat in the first place. Jesus had promised to be with them. This storm might be scary, but it will not sink the boat. It takes strong faith to remain in a storm-battered boat just as it takes strong faith to remain in a conflict-ridden church. Our challenge is not to walk on water but to remain in the boat, exercising a faith that affirms no matter how bad it might seem, Jesus the Lord is with us, and we will get through this storm" (Loose Leaf Lectionary, 3640). What a great thought for us today and always. No matter what happens to us in this life, we need a strong faith and live always with the promise that Jesus is with us until the end of the age. God Bless!!!