And what Peter does next proves that his faith is not lost. Fear is what breaks Peter’s trust in his ability to stay afloat despite the storm. Fear is what causes Peter to sink into the sea. It’s the wind that is largely at fault for felling trees during a storm, the rain just softens the ground in which they’re rooted. Have you ever walked against the wind, or seen a reporter cover a major storm and try to stay standing during a major hurricane? It is not an easy feat. Peter takes in the scene around him, the waves crashing around him and Matthew tells us more specifically that he noticed the wind. Peter’s faith allows him to walk on the water toward Jesus and then Peter’s brain catches up with his feet. In fact, Matthew’s gospel is the only account of this story where Peter exits the boat and autonomously walks to Jesus. Peter’s faith and a healthy dose of moxy get him out of the boat. When oceans rise, my soul will rest in Your embrace Regular, fully human, often speaks before he thinks it through, Peter walks on the water to meet his friend in the middle of a storm. The miracle in the story isn’t that Jesus walks upon the waters, but that Peter does too. Peter gets out of the boat and not only that but he actually begins walking on the water just like Jesus does. Jesus calls Peter, both literally and figuratively, out of the boat and into the crashing waves. Way back on the first Sunday of Lent the Tempter encouraged Jesus to complete certain tasks if he truly is who he says he is. We’ve heard Jesus’ identity questioned before. Sometimes that is easier said than done, isn’t it? Yet, eager to prove he’s not afraid, Peter, zealous as ever, responds: Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water. “Take heart, it is I do not be afraid.” Do not be afraid. Jesus immediately calls out and comforts them. Upon seeing a figure seemingly floating over the stormy sea the disciples cry out in fear. Jesus walks out onto the water after dismissing the crowds. It means a great deal to me because a dance group I co-founded at Wake Forest danced to this song and it has gotten me through many of life’s storms. Today’s gospel reminded me of the song “Oceans” by Hillsong. Often when I’m feeling anxious or outright terrified about something I turn on music to help calm the turmoil. Overnight a storm erupts and instills fear in the heart of Jesus’ friends gathered in the boat. The disciples get into a boat while Jesus dismisses those who had gathered together. In today’s gospel we pick up immediately following Matthew’s account of the feeding of the multitudes. Even with as much technology as meteorologists possess to forecast the weather storms are unpredictable. Back home in North Carolina we had a thunderstorm the night prior that was far stronger than the Tropical Storm. I was admittedly taken aback by the extensive damage when I came back to New York. They can arrive in areas with vastly different impacts as well. Storms can be relaxing or anxiety inducing and anywhere in between. The power of storms are something we are familiar with, particularly this week as many in our neighborhoods deal with power outages and downed trees in the wake of Tropical Storm Isaias on Tuesday.
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