Meditation: Does the Lord Jesus seem distant when trials or adversity come your way? It was at Jesus' initiative that the disciples sailed across the lake, only to find themselves in a life-threatening storm. Although they were experienced fishermen, they feared for their lives. While Jesus was not with them in the boat, he, nonetheless watched for them in prayer. When he perceived their trouble he came to them on the sea and startled them with his sudden appearance. Do you look for the Lord's presence when you encounter difficulty or challenges?
Fight fear with faith
This dramatic incident on the sea of Galilee revealed Peter's character
more fully than others. Here we see Peter's impulsiveness - his
tendency to act without thinking of what he was doing. He often failed
and came to grief as a result of his impulsiveness. In contrast, Jesus
always bade his disciples to see how difficult it was to follow him
before they set out on the way he taught them. A great deal of failure
in the Christian life is due to acting on impulse and emotional fervor
without counting the cost. Peter, fortunately in the moment of his
failure clutched at Jesus and held him firmly. Every time Peter fell,
he rose again. His failures only made him love the Lord more deeply and
trust him more intently.
The Lord keeps watch over us at all times, and especially in our moments of temptation and difficulty. Do you rely on the Lord for his strength and help? Jesus assures us that we have no need of fear if we trust in Him and in his great love for us. When calamities or trials threaten to overwhelm you, how do you respond? With faith and hope in God's love, care and presence with you?
"Lord Jesus, help me to trust you always and to never doubt your presence and your power to help me. In my moments of doubt and weakness, may I cling to you as Peter did. Strengthen my faith that I may walk straight in the path you set before me, neither veering to the left nor to the right".
This reflection is courtesy of Don Schwager, whose website is located at: http://www.rc.net/wcc/readings/