The Lord Rescues

Today’s Gospel Text:  Then he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24 but the boat by this time was many furlongs distant from the land, beaten by the waves; for the wind was against them. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. 26 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out for fear. 27 But immediately he spoke to them, saying, "Take heart, it is I; have no fear."  28 And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, bid me come to you on the water." 29 He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus; 30 but when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me." 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, "O man of little faith, why did you doubt?" 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God." 34 And when they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret. 35 And when the men of that place recognized him, they sent round to all that region and brought to him all that were sick, 36 and besought him that they might only touch the fringe of his garment; and as many as touched it were made well. Matt 14:22-36

Reflection:  Life can be difficult and treacherous and it can be more so even after being obedient to the Lord’s command or directions. 

Hence, he who seeks the easy way and thinks, that to be a Christian and a follower of Christ means a life free of the troubles and storms of life can only be living in a fool’s paradise.

Sometimes listening to the various testimonies of life, I often get the impression that to follow Christ means a life free from the earthly troubles of life. 

At the same time, what is important to note, is this; no matter what the troubles, we are not alone in our struggle. The Lord may seem far from us and yet he is ever near to us to rescue us from all our troubles.

The scene in the Gospel is based exactly on this very assurance of God’s enduring and everlasting presence to save us from the storms of life. We have to face the impossible and God will ultimately make the impossible possible; for nothing is impossible with God. (Lk. 18:27)

What is important in all this is to be assured that we are walking in his plan, according to his will, constantly discerning his ways. 

The Disciples did that when the Lord asked them to go across ahead of him to the other side and when they faced the storms of life they were in a crisis, yet not disappointed. The Lord was there to rescue them from it and to calm their fears.

“The Lord preserves all who love him” Ps 145:20

Prayer: “Preserve me, O God, for in thee I take refuge. I say to the Lord, "Thou art my Lord; I have no good apart from thee." Ps 16:1-2

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