Let's walk on water

19th Sunday of Ordinary “A” August 13, 2023 Matthew 14, 22-33 After he had fed the people, Jesus made the disciples get into a boat and precede him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When it was evening, he was there alone. Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore, was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it. During the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them walking on the sea. When the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified. "It is a ghost," they said, and they cried out in fear. At once Jesus spoke to them, "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid." Peter said to him in reply, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." He said, "Come." Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw how strong the wind was, he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!" Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught Peter, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" After they got into the boat, the wind died down. Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying, "Truly, you are the Son of God." *********************************** Today’s Gospel is a continuation of last Sunday’s Gospel but since we celebrated the feast of the transfiguration, we didn’t read it. It was the story of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes. After the miracle Jesus had sent the disciples on alone and the dismissed the crowds. Afterwards he spent time alone in prayer then he walked on the water to the disciples. Chapter 14 of Matthew’s Gospel is a revelation to the disciples who Jesus is. 1. He works miracles, miracles that show his love and concern for the people feeding them. 2. He is a person of prayer. He spends time alone in quiet. 3. He does amazing things like walking on water. Really Jesus performs few miracles of this sort most of his miracles are about curing and feeding people. 4. He invites the disciples to trust in him and do amazing things as well. Today I would like to focus on Peter though. Peter the first of the disciples, the first leader of the Catholic Church and how he can teach us to be better followers of Jesus. The boat represents our security our comfortableness with life. But to be a follower of Jesus we can’t just look for our own comfort we can’t just stay in the boat, we must venture out we have to take risks. We must live our faith. Though the water might be high, and the waves rough we need to get out the boat. But again, we have to follow the example of Peter. When we get out the boat, we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. We can walk on the water but always in the direction of Jesus. What does it mean for us to walk on water? Since I have little time here amongst you in Mexico City, I am not sure yet how it is that you walk on water, but I am sure that some of you do. I am sure that there are people here among us who do something pretty amazing things. I know with the community that I came from in Los Angeles many people walked on water by coming to the United States. Not the ones who came for an adventure or to go on a shopping spree, but rather people who sacrificed everything in the belief that they could give their families a better life. Many married couples too, they sacrificed so much out of a great deal of love. Maybe people walk on water in little ways, telling the truth when they don’t have to, standing up for something they believe in. There are many examples. The thing is to live your Christian faith isn’t meant to be easy, it is meant to take risks, to do bold things, to get out of the boat and to walk towards Jesus. But always remember when we begin to fail, we are frightened and can no longer continue to call out to Jesus and he will hold us his arms and keep us from drowning.