My Sisters and Brothers:
As I was reflecting upon today’s Gospel story of the encounter of Jesus and Peter on the water (see Matthew 14:22-33), lyrics from the well-known Christian hymn “Love Lifted Me” came to mind. They were written almost a hundred years ago by songwriter James Rowe (b. 1865). These are some of the words: “I was sinking deep in sin, far from the peaceful shore, very deeply stained within, sinking to rise no more, but the Master of the sea heard my despairing cry, and from the waters lifted me, now safe am I . . . love lifted me! . . . When nothing else could help, love lifted me!”
Today’s Gospel account may inspire us to reflect on the reality of human weakness, and on the persistent longing imperfect Christians have as they hope for salvation. The Gospel tells us Jesus approached the disciples while they were on a boat and caught in a storm. But prior to recognizing whom Jesus was, and until he identified himself to them, the disciples cried out in fear, believing they were seeing “a ghost.” And then Peter said: “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” This expression of the Apostle’s faith, affirmed by Jesus as he invited him out of the boat, and onto the water, was soon overshadowed by Peter’s fear and doubt. He quickly lost confidence and began to sink under the waves. And this was certainly a life-threatening situation! He therefore didn’t follow through with his initial expression of faith, and he momentarily allowed his human weakness to overcome his confidence in the power of Jesus. And this could have destroyed him. But then, with renewed faith, he cried out: “Lord, save me!” And that’s just what Jesus did: He lifted him and he saved him. Doesn’t Peter’s experience mirror that of all who’ve “fallen,” and who’ve been in danger of “drowning” because of sin, weakness, and distress, but who’ve nonetheless cried for mercy, and have been “saved” by our merciful Lord?
With all of this in mind, and even though we profess to be Christians, most of us would probably admit it’s difficult to confess to others our doubts, our weaknesses, our faults, and our mistakes. It may also be true that we can’t even admit these things to ourselves! And it could be spiritually catastrophic if we wouldn’t be able to admit them to our God. I believe these kinds of human dynamics speak to Peter’s experience, and to the songwriter’s concept of being “far from the peaceful shore, very deeply stained within, and sinking to rise no more.” But even if we find ourselves in such conditions, the Gospel promises our loving Jesus still and always desires to lift us, and “to save” us!
As a priest, I’ve “journeyed” over the years with many very honest, yet brokenhearted men and women who’ve struggled with great weaknesses and difficulties in their lives. One place in particular where I’ve encountered such people has been in the confessional, a place where those who’ve “fallen” or “sinned” have come with the desire to turn around their lives and “to be saved.” Most times, when I’ve listened to others heart-wrenchingly bear their souls in the confessional, I’ve also witnessed their very deep faith (and I believe this has been the case even if they themselves hadn’t yet recognized it). Indeed, isn’t it very true one must have strong faith in order to say “Lord, save me!” And how wonderful it is when someone is able to utter such words, that “despairing cry” so well-articulated by the songwriter! And how even more wonderful it is to experience the joy of someone who’s been lifted out of distress and truly “saved!”
My friends, with renewed faith, and if ever in danger of “sinking under the waves,” let’s be like Peter and not be afraid to cry out: “Lord, save me!” I’m confident the “Master of the sea” will always hear our pleading and our cries; we need not be overcome by our doubts, our weaknesses, our faults, and our mistakes! And then, along with Peter, and so many others who’ve known the great love and mercy of Jesus, we may sing: “From the waters he lifted me, now safe am I . . . love lifted me! . . . When nothing else could help, love lifted me!” Let’s encourage each other with this message of faith!
Praise God! Friar Timothy
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