Take Courage, It Is I; Do Not Be Afraid.

"Take Courage, It Is I; Do Not Be Afraid." (Matthew 14:22–33)

As we continue our journey through the Gospel of Matthew, we discover a beautiful and reassuring truth about our Lord. Week after week, the evangelist reminds us that Jesus is always searching for us. He treasures us beyond measure and never ceases inviting us to trust in His love, His mercy, and His saving presence.

Last Sunday we reflected upon the Lord's command, "Give them some food yourselves." Jesus challenged His disciples—and us—to recognize the gifts He has placed within us and to respond generously to the needs of others. Whether in our families, workplaces, schools, neighborhoods, or parish community, He calls us to become His witnesses and servant-disciples.

This Sunday's Gospel reveals yet another remarkable gift of our Savior. Jesus never abandons those who belong to Him. Especially in moments of uncertainty, hardship, disappointment, fear, and danger, He comes to us. The disciples struggled against the wind and waves throughout the night, convinced they were alone. Yet, at precisely the right moment, Jesus came to them, walking upon the sea—not with panic or haste, but with calm authority, divine compassion, and reassuring love.

What unfolds is one of the most extraordinary moments in all the Gospels. Jesus walks upon the raging waters, invites Peter to step beyond the safety of the boat in an act of radical faith, and once again brings peace to the storm. Theology describes such an event as a theophany—a manifestation of God's divine presence. Just as Elijah encountered God not in the earthquake, wind, or fire, but in the tiny whispering sound (1 Kings 19), so the disciples encounter the living God standing before them upon the waters of chaos. The One who commanded creation now reveals His sovereignty over creation itself.

This Gospel invites us to reflect on three enduring lessons.

First, Jesus is present even when He seems absent. The disciples believed they were alone, yet Jesus never lost sight of them. So too, in our darkest hours, when prayers seem unanswered or burdens overwhelming, the Lord continues to watch over us with loving care. Faith reminds us that His silence is never His absence.

Second, faith often requires us to leave the security of our own "boat." Peter's courage did not consist in walking on water; it consisted in trusting the One who called him. Every disciple is invited to step beyond fear, comfort, excuses, and self-reliance in order to follow Christ more completely. Growth in holiness always begins with trusting His voice.

Third, whenever we begin to sink beneath the weight of fear, doubt, or discouragement, the simplest prayer may be the most powerful: "Lord, save me!" Peter's brief cry was enough. Immediately Jesus reached out His hand. Our Lord never tires of lifting us up when we call upon Him with sincere hearts.

As we leave church this weekend, perhaps we should ask ourselves: What storm am I facing today? What fear is keeping me from trusting Christ more completely? What "boat" is He asking me to leave behind?

The reassuring words of Jesus continue to echo across every generation: "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid." May we recognize His quiet presence in the ordinary moments of daily life, hear His gentle voice amid the noise of the world, and have the courage to trust Him—even when the waves seem strongest. For the Lord who walked upon the waters still walks beside His people today, and His outstretched hand is never beyond our reach.

Fish the waters of humanity with the Lord, Father Skip -- Pastor

"Plunge into the deep without fear --- and with the gladness of April in your heart." (Rabindranath Tagore)