19th Sunday of Ordinary Time
Reflection: Lessons to be learned from Peter
By SISTER MARY McGLONE
Difficult and dangerous times. Intolerant religious leaders disdain the “deviants.” Prophetic voices are silenced as a threat to others. Hungry people holding what little they have.
This describes the environment of today’s Gospel — and ours?
The disciples knew Jesus as the prophet rejected by his own. They saw him lead thousands of hungry people to share a little bread and be satisfied. All of this happened just after the preacher closest to Jesus was senselessly martyred by a deranged ruler. Then Jesus slipped away to pray (Matthew 13:54-14:33).
No wonder the disciples feared they were about to die on turbulent waters! Matthew, Mark and John each narrate a version of the storm and Jesus calming the disciples, but Matthew is the only one to tell on Peter.
Peter is named 24 times in Matthew’s Gospel. He was among the first disciples called (4:18). Jesus visited his home and healed his mother-in-law (8:14). Peter assumed the role of speaker for the group (17:24). Beyond that, Peter stars in three stories that have the same plot: today’s stormy sea account, his proclamation of faith in Jesus (16:13-28) and his response to Jesus’ passion (26:31-75).
The scene of today’s incident has the disciples boarding their boat just after Jesus had preached all day to a multitude. In that scene, when the disciples suggested that Jesus send people home to eat, he told them to offer their own meager provisions to feed the five thousand. Even more preposterous than that proposal was the crowd’s sharing of bread and fish until they were satisfied. That’s what the disciples had experienced before embarking.
Once on the water, they got caught in a storm. While the waves had their way with the boat and the disciples fought for their lives, Jesus walked toward them on the water. Because his appearance was the last thing they expected, they figured they were seeing a ghost — a sure sign that they were about to die! Then, as all God’s messengers do, Jesus said, “Do not be afraid.”
Peter, a sterling example of the dictum that anything worth doing is worth overdoing, decided to test the waters: “If it’s really you, call me to join you out there!” Jesus replied, “Come.”
What a test! “If it is you, let me walk on water!” Did Peter even consider what would happen if it had not been Jesus out there? Peter jumped overboard (in every sense) and started to do what Jesus did. For a quick minute it worked; then Peter let himself get overwhelmed. That sank him. But for Jesus, it would have been the end.
As he pulled Peter’s head above the water, Jesus said, “O you of little faith!” How was that fair? Peter had risked his life to take a chance on Jesus! Wouldn’t it have been nicer to say something like “Great try!”? He could have asked Peter what had happened. But no, Jesus just said, “O you of little faith.”
There’s a subtle and costly dynamic in all of this. On the mountain Jesus had told his disciples to give everything for others; it worked and everyone ate. Then, when they were in mortal danger, only Peter took a crazy risk. Although he sank into doubt, his daring brought him into a new relationship with Jesus. Jesus had now truly saved him. At least this once, Peter had risked it all. He bet his life on Jesus — and in the midst of not getting it right, Jesus did more for him than anyone ever had before.
Matthew leads us to ask who understood Jesus better, the ones who did solemn homage (like the Magi who returned home) or the wild one Jesus rescued when his behavior looked like pure folly. Isn’t Peter’s risky expression of faith much greater than that of the boat-bound spectators who simply worshiped? Risk, failure and redemption seem to be Peter’s pattern. He repeated it when he proclaimed Jesus as Messiah and then told him how to do it. He did it again when, after swearing he would die for Jesus, he denied him and went off weeping.
Peter offers us a saintly example of extravagance. Fear of failure didn’t stop him, he kept growing closer to Jesus who appreciated his passion rather than worrying about his weaknesses. Jesus didn’t criticize the group who stayed in the boat. They gave him proper homage. But Peter loved Jesus with a wild heart, mind and soul, plus a drenched body. Peter’s very doubts allowed him to go deeper. Maybe we should hear “you of little faith” as an invitation.
Peter shows us how to risk the depths. His example dares us, too, to do what Jesus did. Today’s word of God is, “Come.” It’s the only remedy for our little faith.
Reading 1
(1 Kings 19:9a, 11-13a)
At the mountain of God, Horeb,
Elijah came to a cave where he took shelter.
Then the LORD said to him,
“Go outside and stand on the mountain before the LORD;
the LORD will be passing by.”
A strong and heavy wind was rending the mountains
and crushing rocks before the LORD—
but the LORD was not in the wind.
After the wind there was an earthquake—
but the LORD was not in the earthquake.
After the earthquake there was fire—
but the LORD was not in the fire.
After the fire there was a tiny whispering sound.
When he heard this,
Elijah hid his face in his cloak
and went and stood at the entrance of the cave.
Responsorial Psalm
(Ps 85:9, 10, 11-12, 13-14)
R. Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.
I will hear what God proclaims;
the LORD — for he proclaims peace.
Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him,
glory dwelling in our land.
R. Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.
Kindness and truth shall meet;
justice and peace shall kiss.
Truth shall spring out of the earth,
and justice shall look down from heaven.
R. Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.
The LORD himself will give his benefits;
our land shall yield its increase.
Justice shall walk before him,
and prepare the way of his steps.
R. Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.
Reading 2
(Romans 9: 1-5)
Brothers and sisters:
I speak the truth in Christ, I do not lie;
my conscience joins with the Holy Spirit in bearing me witness
that I have great sorrow and constant anguish in my heart.
For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ
for the sake of my own people,
my kindred according to the flesh.
They are Israelites;
theirs the adoption, the glory, the covenants,
the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises;
theirs the patriarchs, and from them,
according to the flesh, is the Christ,
who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.
Gospel
(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.”