Sunday 19th Week in Ordinary Time Year A

Mt 14:22-33

Jesus walks on the water and comforts his disciples during storms on the Sea of Galilee.

Jesus avoided the crowds clinging to him as a potential source of constant bread. He compelled his disciples to get into the boat to go to the other side to take rest and to pray to God to avoid a messianic uproar (John 6:15).

Jesus went up to the mountain to pray and to be alone with his Father which means he never neglected praying to his Father despite being with people at all times.

Jesus walks on the sea when his disciples were troubled and exhausted battling with the storms and cried out for fear. Jesus comforts them saying, "Courage! Don't be afraid. It is I" is reminiscent of the revelation of God to Moses in Exodus 3:6-14 "When God identified himself as I AM WHO I AM. It is I who have sent you."

Peter's little-faith shows his weakness which is affected by its surroundings and too quick to exaggerate the peril.

Yet Peter also shows us some kind of strength of little-faith which is true faith, obeys the word of Jesus, struggles to come to Jesus, accomplishes great things for a time, prays when it is in troubled and little-faith is safe when Jesus is near.

Whereas, the true faith is single-mindedly focused on Jesus/God-centered life; and not self-centered life or worldly power.

Jesus saves Peter from sinking into water and shrinking of little-faith.

Having witnessed the nature miracle of Jesus in the Sea of Galilee, they (those who were in the boat) moved quickly from fearing the storms to worshipping Jesus Christ the Lord, the Messiah one who saves his people.

The enemy of faith is self-reliance or wealth-centered life as against God centered life with His Plan/Will be done.

Let us believe in God 's power; not in the power of evil or storms of life or Coronavirus pandemic Covid-19.

How do we experience Jesus in the storms of life?

Do we have a little faith in Jesus or believe in the power of storms in life?

When, where, and how do we sink or shrink in our journey of faith?