18th Week in Ordinary Time : Tuesday 2nd August 2022

“Truly, You are the Son of God,” the disciples in the boat with Jesus exclaimed, in awe and wonder. News abounds and soon after, reached Gennesaret (the heathen precincts on the far side of Lake Galilee or Tiberias). The local people brought their sick, the possessed and the wounded to Jesus, begging Him to heal them. Those who were touched were completely cured.

But before this, in the boat, when hit by a sudden headwind and battling a heavy sea, the disciples were frightened at the sight of Jesus walking on the lake and moving towards them. “It is a ghost”, they cried out in fear. Their boat was moving towards the other side of the lake – the place of the heathens – where the possessed and evil spirits abound. But Jesus called out to them and said, “Courage! It is I! Do not be afraid!” Jesus then asked Peter to “Come” and walk towards Him. Peter did that but took fright and began to sink as the full force of the wind hit him. He cried out, “Lord! Save me!”

Needless to say, this happens often enough when we follow the Lord. Like Peter, as brazen as he was, we are humbled by our feeble and careless ways. But we take  courage and walk towards the Lord like Peter.

Peter, the disciples in the boat, the heathens at Gennesaret, and we should all proclaim:

“Truly, You are the Son of God!”