Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time A
August 7, 2011

Reading I: 1 Kings 19:9a, 11-13a
Responsorial Psalm: 85:9, 10, 11-12, 13-14
Reading II: Romans 9:1-5
Gospel: Matthew 14:22-33



This week I am having real trouble in making any comment on the miracle of Jesus walking across the stormy lake. The more I turn it over, the stranger it looks. What was Jesus doing?

Was he making a demonstration of power, to show that he would not let the storm swamp the boat? If this was the point, I am troubled by a niggling question: Isn't it a bit of overkill?

There is no hint that Jesus himself felt any risk in walking through the storm. He seems to be in charge completely. Why, then, the theatrical display? Surely a word, a gesture from the shore would have stilled the storm, and a promise, the pledge of a friend, “I will be there when you need me”, would be the normal thing to say to his disciples. Their training must teach them to trust him as they see him. This exhibition of superman qualities must be confusing.

Or is it precisely a demonstration of supernatural power, the ability to walk on water and to calm a stormy sea? We seem to be forced to this position. What then is the intention of the liturgy in connecting this gospel story with Elijah's mystical perception of the Lord? This would be an extraordinary way to manifest the presence of God, especially when for Elijah God was found to be not in the storm, earthquake or fire, but in a still small voice that youneed to listen to with careful attention.

Next we have the problem of Peter. We are used to seeing him portrayed as impetuous, falling over himself in expressing what is in his heart. So in this instance we are not surprised that he was ready to jump out of the boat and walk across the water to Jesus. But what of Jesus? Is this the behaviour of a friend, or even of a reliable and trustworthy coach, to say: Come on then! No one is surprised that Peter lost heart, panicked perhaps, and began to sink. Was Jesus teaching him a very severe lesson, not to be so impetuous? In view of the humiliation involved, it seems almost cruel. Would a sports coach think this was good technique. It looks as though Peter was being set up for a fall. Is this the way to teach trust and confidence? Am I missing something here? Do leadership training courses actually put candidates through this sort of test to make them realistic? Was this Peter's bungey jump?

On the other hand, if we were to see the story only as metaphor, with the stormy sea representing this troublesome world and the boat representing the 'church', what then is the meaning of it? Are we to learn from this amazing miracle to not be afraid because Jesus will come through the storm? Jesus walking on the sea is a wonderful image and has been reproduced in some great paintings, but in context it seems a little over-dramatic. Finally, does the lesson tell any christian leader to expect to be humiliated like Peter - or for that matter any christian who tries to take Jesus literally?

Finally, the greatest difficulty comes when we look at what Jesus said to Peter as he was sinking into the sea: Why did you doubt, you man of little faith? I wonder is this authentic. Where does it leave Peter or anyone who risks everything to walk across a stormy sea towards Jesus, if our failure is attributed to our little faith? Why didn't Jesus take Peter by the hand and show him how to walk on water? It might have taken some time for Peter to learn, but at least he would have grown in faith, in trust, and in self confidence, instead of being made to look like a fool in front of the others, again.

I am in serious difficulty with this gospel story, and I would welcome any help. Am I missing the simple truth that would be nourishing? Or, on the other hand, am I right in wondering why this extraordinary miracle got into the gospel record? As far as I can remember, there is no other like it. Jesus performed signs and wonders to illustrate his teaching, to link it in with ancient themes from times past, and especially to show compassion for the sick or those with disabilities. The transfiguration on the mountain was a theophany, a manifestation of the Christ wrapped in glory. What was this superman episode?