Trust and go!

Today’s readings

When Jesus walks on the lake at night, the disciples fear him. They are afraid because they think they are dealing with a ghost. They are afraid of creating their own imaginations. They do not feel His closeness, although He is getting closer and is working a miracle in front of them. Jesus says to them, “Take courage, I am, do not be afraid.” These words bring peace and comfort, and an unwavering certainty that there is someone who is in control of the situation and restores everything to its proper proportions.

How many times do we dream for someone like this to appear in our lives ?! That he would take care of us, put reality in order, say that there is nothing to be afraid of… And we are often afraid – we are afraid to say what we think, we are afraid to be ourselves, we are afraid of tomorrow and the future. Some people live in fear for years, are unable to get rid of fear, which is the source of depression, neurosis, and disease. Often, fear prevents us from functioning normally, gives us wrong solutions, pushes us in the wrong direction.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus emphasizes that one can escape the fear loop that tightens around his neck, that he takes away fear and thus – gives freedom. And freedom in Christ is the only sure way to happiness – this one here on earth, but also to eternal happiness. Walking on the water, Jesus presents us with a short recipe for all the ills of this world. If we believe He is, we will never be afraid again.

It’s not that simple though. Because sometimes we are like students – we associate with Him, notice how He works in our lives, listen to His word, but in the moment of trial, we treat Him as an apparition, a spirit. We cannot believe that he IS for real and walks on the water for us.

Besides, faith requires courage. Meanwhile, this is not often found in the modern world. We hide our heads in the sand, we string our mouths to make our life easier and more peaceful. Because courage costs a lot, you pay dearly for it. The courage – the real, reasonable one, which is not audacity – needs to be mature.

There is also Saint Peter in this biblical scene, who has a desire to do the impossible. He wants, like his Master, to walk on the water. He succeeds, but in the end he overcomes fear and the apostle has to cry for help. Faith allows him to walk on the lake, lack of faith causes him to fall into the depths of the water – how metaphorical this scene is and how easily it can be applied to our spiritual life! Each of us has water into which we fall – knee-deep, waist-high, neck-wide – if we do not take appropriate preventive measures, if we do not walk on it with God’s help. Not all of them manage to get out of it, not all of them have the strength to shout: “Lord, save me!”.

The strong, counter-wind is also symbolic. Because such a wind happens to all of us from time to time. And then we do not know Christ, we do not believe in Him and His miracles. It happens that we fall into the water because we do not trust ourselves, and most of all God. We fight the element blindly.

Today’s Gospel can bring comfort to anyone who is internally shaky, uncertain, and despairing. Because Jesus walks on water for us, despite the wind and unfavorable conditions. To us he says “Come.” So don’t be afraid, trust and go!

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