GOSPEL POWER l AUGUST 3, 2021

18th Week in Ordinary Time

22Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on  ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23And after  he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to  pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24but by this time the  boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was  against them. 25And early in the morning he came walking toward  them on the sea. 26But when the disciples saw him walking on the  sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in  fear. 27But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it  is I; do not be afraid.” 28Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come  to you on the water.” 29He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat,  started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. 30But when he  noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to  sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31Jesus immediately reached out  his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did  you doubt?” 32When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33And  those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of  God.”34When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret. 35After the people of that place recognized him, they sent word  throughout the region and brought all who were sick to him, 36and  begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak; and all who touched it were healed.

I n today’s Gospel-episode, Jesus allows Peter to share his  experience of divine sonship, which entails power over  nature. It is a momentary foretaste of the status God intends  to bestow on us through his only-begotten Son. But absolute faith  in Jesus is necessary — faith that conquers all fears. If Peter had  remained undistracted and focused on Jesus, fear would not have  assailed him, doubt would not have crept into his heart, and he  would have savored longer this beautiful experience. The secret of  staying afloat on the often turbulent sea of life is to stay focused on  Jesus, firm in our faith that bring us safely to where the Father wishes  us to be.