It's Time to start walking on water

XIX Sunday in Ordinary Time A 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.”

Have you ever asked for a sign from God? A answer that could guide you to make the right decision. So you may do what is for the best. I have, many times to tell the truth. Big decisions like when I decided to enter the seminary. But also small decisions like should I trust someone or go to a new or unknown place. In the first reading Elijah is asking for a sign. He just had a victory against the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. He thought he was going to make him a hero, but no. Queen Jezebel wanted to kill him. So Elijah escaped into the wilderness and when he got to Sinai he stayed hidden in a cave and there he asked for a sign from God. First it was a hurricane wind, but God wasn't in the wind. Then there was an earthquake, and God wasn't in the earthquake either, then a fire and God wasn't in the fire either, finally there's a gentle breeze, and God was in the gentle breeze. In the Gospel we have a wonderful, powerful sign: Jesus walking on water. He is the master of the sea. He does what is humanly impossible. Seeing this was not enough for St. Peter. No, Peter wanted more. He said, "Lord, if it is really you, command me to walk on water." And sure Jesus commands Peter to walk on water, but when he begins to doubt, he begins to fall." Now the thing is, it doesn't matter if you're asking for a sign or not, when you're convinced that Jesus really is the son of God, when you know that God exists you have to walk on water. God is really so great that we experience him when we least expect him to appear. He reveals himself to us. We don't demand or expect him to respond on our terms. Even when we're under pressure. However, if we wait, he will respond. So if you're like Elijah or like Peter, ask for a sign from God. Ask God to manifest himself in your life. But this isn't the end of the story. Elijah, after receiving the sign he received a mission, he had to go back to Aram, to the place where the queen was looking for him to kill him and anoint another King and also look for another prophet. Peter after walking on water when on to accept the mission of being the first pope, the rock where Jesus was going to build his church. So go ahead and ask for a sign from God, but remember that once you get the sign you're going to have to walk on water, you're going to have to leave the security of the boat and start serving God. I've seen you walk on Water many times. My work in the United States was mainly with the Latino community. People who had left their country, their families, their language and customs to seek a better life elsewhere. They are walking on water, especially these days. I've had the opportunity to celebrate many sacraments. A couple entering the sacrament of marriage, they are walking on water. Promise that they would be faithful, faithful unto death. If that isn’t walking on water, I don’t know what is! I have also been able to celebrate many baptisms. To have a child, to accept the responsibility of educating him in the faith. This is walking on water. And you know what? Like St. Peter we are going to fall, we are going to encounter difficulties, and when we feel that we cannot take it anymore, when we feel that we are falling, when we are sinking like St. Peter, we cry out. “Lord, help me!" And Jesus will to help us. He's going to help us, not to go back to the safety of the boat. He's not going to help us to keep walking on the water.