In Matthew 14, 22-36, Jesus walked on the stormy waters toward the boat in which his disciples were traveling. He calmed their fears as He approached the boat, allowed St. Peter to do a “trial walk” on water, then saved the Apostle from drowning when he panicked. As soon as Jesus took St. Peter into the boat, the storm ceased miraculously. Jesus’ followers recognized the presence of God in their midst and they all worshipped Him.
Do we always approach Jesus with strong faith? Do we trust both his ability and His willing availability to calm the storms in our lives and in the life of the Church? History shows us how Jesus saved His Church from storms of persecution in the first three centuries, storms of heresies in the fifth and sixth centuries, storms of moral degradation and the Protestant Reformation in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, and storms of abuse and scandal among the clergy in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. As has been said, “He has a pretty good track record!”
Can we ask Jesus today to protect us when we face the storms of strong temptations, storms of doubts about our religious beliefs, and storms of fear, anxiety (as in the present Covid-19 pandemic), and worries about the future, in our personal lives? Are we open to experiencing Jesus’ presence in our lives, professing our faith in Him, and calling out for His help and protection?
