“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.”

Although there are numerous stories of healing, exorcism, prophecy, and miraculous feeding, the gospels contain very few additional stories of the supernatural manipulation of the physical world by Jesus. Perhaps the changing of water into wine, although that is also related to satiating the thirst of people, the withered fig tree, the calming of the storm at sea, and today’s gospel about walking on water come to mind. These do point to God’s ability to subvert the natural processes and intervene in time and space with miraculous power, but Jesus was not accustomed to public displays of divine power over nature. They were revelatory to his disciples of his identity as God, but he did not come to control nature. He came to offer his life for our salvation. His was a mission of love, not just supernatural power, and he gave all he had to give. This is the truly miraculous action: that God became one of us and gave his life to give us life. Jesus conquered sin and death, not by toppling mountains or overthrowing earthly power, but by his obedience, even to death on a cross, to the will of the Father. 

Yet, there are powerful lessons from today’s gospel. A number of years ago, 2004 to be precise (the year I was ordained), there was a book published with the title The Lost Art of Walking on Water. It was a reflection and practical guidebook for priests facing increasing challenges in ministry and following the first revelations of sexual abuse in the church, the loss of credibility, and tension with leadership. It was a hope filled book and encouraged resiliency, transparency, integrity, and faith in the midst of trials. God is in the turmoil, too. Jesus walks on the water in the midst of the wind and waves. We, like Peter, are called to walk on water, in the midst of the wind and the waves, too. It is a lost art. To follow the call, to step out in faith, and to trust in Jesus more than our fear are essential components of this art. Too often we falter and begin to sink, or many times we are even hesitant to get out of the boat, but Jesus is there on the water, calling to us, and inviting us to trust in him more than any of our circumstances. It is truly an act of faith. 

In the midst of the wind and the waves in each of our lives, Jesus invites us to trust in him. We do not trust in particular outcomes, but in a person who walks with us and never leaves us alone. I live with Fr. Quan, nearly young enough to be my son, and Fr. Tony, nearly old enough to be my father. It is a wonderful dynamic and I am inspired by Fr. Quan’s enthusiasm, zeal, and desire to lay down his life in service to God’s people. I am also inspired by Fr. Tony’s experience, how he consistently has the habit of saying yes and doing what he can do in service to God’s people. He may lack the same enthusiasm that Fr. Quan has, but his service is a given based on a life of trusting in God. They both teach me much. Because of them, I am encouraged to get out of the boat, walk amidst the wind and waves, and trust in Jesus. I am inspired to obedience in following God’s will and I am grateful for the companions on the journey. Whatever wind and waves we are facing today, the invitation is the same for all of us. Get out of the boat. Walk on water. Trust in Jesus. Take the first step. Jesus is here to save us.