NINETEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME A

[cappie]

Today’s Gospel features one of the most iconic of all Christian scenes: Christ coming to the disciples upon the waves. Jesus walking on water has become almost a cultural cliché; it graces everything from ancient icons to dollar store postcards. In this passage, however, the disciples do not find our Lord walking upon the sea a comforting image: instead, they are terrified!  

In today’s Gospel, Peter and the other disciples are focused on keeping their boat ship shape so that they can continue netting enough fish to feed their families. Suddenly Peter sees the one true human walking on the waves and cries out, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water!”

Why would Peter say such a thing? Is he trying to test Jesus’s reality? Is he begging to share the novel experience of stepping across the sea?  

And what happens? Jesus tells Peter to join him in commanding the waves! While having dominion over water is impressive, this is something like a gateway miracle. What would it be like to have dominion not just only over something as basic as an unruly sea, but over something really uncontrollable—like your anger?  

It’s impressive to have dominion over leprosy, but what would it be like to have dominion over greed and covetousness?

What would happen if we, like Peter, were boldly to request such astonishing powers? Just the same thing: Jesus would command us to come to Him. When we ask for Jesus’s help, he actually gives us the grace to overcome, not just petty things like winds and seas, but these utterly overpowering forces as well.

There are times when we may experience this grace. We might be overwhelmed by compassion for another, forgiveness of our enemies or extravagant generosity… but then we get scared, we close off, we say, “I can’t just forgive that monster!” “I can’t just give away $10,000!” “I can’t walk on water!” And we begin to sink. 

But here is the secret: You can jump back into the boat,   in the midst of your doubts, in the midst of your fears, you can stay in the water. 

There you can cry out with Peter, “Lord save me!” You can cry out to the one who is not only the perfect human, but God incarnate, “Lord make me an instrument of your peace!   Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God have mercy on me!” 

And what will Jesus do? Reach out and grab your arm. He will hold you above the waves when you can’t walk upon them. 

 Ask a former slave ship Captain like the Rev’d John Newton what it’s like to turn your back on your former life to become an anti-slavery crusader. 

He will be quick to tell you of the amazing grace with which Jesus imbues your life when you ask for it. 

But it takes faith to step out of the boat. It takes faith to be kind to those who are unkind to you. It takes faith to give away your money, your patience, your security. It takes faith to follow Jesus. 

As Bishop Robert Prevost in Peru, Pope Leo exemplified a deep spirit of accompaniment with those in need. When covid-19 hit Peru, oxygen shortages and economic collapse led to widespread deaths. He organised for oxygen supplies to be distributed. Despite the exhausting logistics of this operation, he persisted in working in solidarity with everyone involved. Sometime after the covid pandemic, during the floods in the region, he was present with those struggling as he stood knee-deep in flood waters, assisting in relief operations.

Even at our most vulnerable moments, Jesus invites us to be courageous and audacious in trusting his steadfastness and his unfailing embrace of our frailties.  Let us lean into the accompaniment of those who walk with us. Jesus looks steadfastly at us across the wind and water, and says, “Come”.

And this is why, like the disciples in the boat, we must bow down and worship Jesus. We must allow him to have dominion over us, we must come before his altar, hear his word, receive his body and blood, and allow him to send us into the world to do his will.