Not Just Peter, But All of Us!

Today’s Gospel story we have heard many times, Peter sinking into the water when he began to doubt and Jesus lifting him up preventing him from drowning.  The imagery is beautiful, of Jesus grabbing onto Peter’s hand keeping him from perishing.  That “truth” of Jesus rescuing Peter is true for all of us.

All of us began this Christian life at our baptism, some as infants, others later in life, but we all share two things in common, faith, but also human weakness.  That weakness takes many forms, it comes in doubt as it did for Peter that day he found himself sinking, it comes in the form of bad habits and sins.  Some of these sins taking hold of us, ones in which we wrap ourselves in, be it stubbornness, pride, anger, impatience, lust, gluttony, wrath, lies, gossip, alcohol and drugs of all sorts.  For others it could even be desperation, things have happened in their families, sickness, death and tragedy, all of which can shake the best person’s faith.

There have been moments in all our lives in which we walk on water, moments of great happiness, fulfillment, and faith, these can be the day two people get married, a child is born, reaching a great accomplishment, being ordained or consecrated in religious life, or in the simple little happy moments, such as being at dinner with friends or going to the ball game.  All these moments are when we walk on water.

Then our footing begins to give out and we start to drown.  The interesting thing in the Gospel is that Jesus did not let Peter drown; He reached down and saved him when he cried out.  Peter had the choice not to cry out, but no, he was a man of faith, even with all his weaknesses and even sins, he cries out, “Save me Lord.”  Without hesitation the Lord’s arm is there clutching Peter’s.

When we see pictures of this, Jesus clutching Peter’s arm, it’s not just Peter he grabs from the stormy waters, but it is all of us that Jesus grabs onto.  Isn't wonderful to know that whenever we cry out, “Lord save me,” that He does!

Every time I see art work depicting the scene of Jesus grabbing Peter’s arm it is an assurance to me that Jesus is also grabbing my arm and I often see myself in the picture and not just Peter.  I hope and pray that you can see yourselves in that picture as well. 

FJ