At daybreak, Jesus came to them, walking on the sea. When they saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, thinking that it was a ghost. And they cried out in fear. But at once, Jesus said to them, “Courage! Don’t be afraid. It’s me!” Peter answered, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”
Jesus said to him, “Come!” And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water to go to Jesus. But seeing the strong wind, he was afraid, and began to sink; and he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Jesus immediately stretched out his hand and took hold of him, saying, “Man of little faith, why did you doubt?”
As they got into the boat, the wind dropped. Then those in the boat bowed down before Jesus, saying, “Truly, you are the Son of God!”
REFLECTION:
Read: Elijah receives a theophany different from what Moses had received. Paul expresses his deep missionary desire for his people to embrace the person of Christ. Jesus reaches out to the disciples in trouble, walking up to them on the water.
Reflect: We are confronted with two existential questions in today’s readings. In the first, Yahweh asks Elijah: “What are you doing here, Elijah?” In the Gospel, Jesus asks Peter: “Why did you doubt?” Elijah seemingly expected a grand theophany and a revelatory message from God; but God leads him to an examination of conscience by giving him an unexpected theophany and a probing question on his intentions. Jesus challenges the sudden loss of faith of Peter in the midst of turbulence. What would be God asking us when we meet Him face to face?
Pray: Let us ask God to probe our innermost being and lead us to conversion.
Act: Spend some 30 minutes in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament.