To turn away from Jesus is to turn away from life itself 

Rev. Marcel Divine Emeka Okwara, CSsR

Homily for the 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, Brooklyn Center, MN

Sunday, August 9. 2020

After feeding the crowds, Jesus made his disciples get in a boat “and precede him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds.” After dismissing the people, he returns to prayer and solitude that he previously wanted before people came to him from different villages. As Jesus is praying, his disciples are struggling to steady the boat for they are being tossed about by strong waves. In the midst of this confusion, Jesus comes to them walking on the water and in the process startled and terrified them. Thinking that he is a ghost, they cry out in fear. Immediately, Jesus assures them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” Curiously, Peter wants an assurance, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” Without delay, Jesus beckons him to come. I don’t know if Peter is brave, courageous or recklessly stupid, but he did act on the command of Jesus. He steps out of the boat, steps into the water and begins to walk on the water. Then for a moment, he turns his attention away from Jesus to the potency of the wind. It frightens him, shakes him up and he begins to sink. Like a child who cries out in distress to the mother, Peter cries out to Jesus, “Lord, save me!” At Peter’s cry, Jesus “stretched out his hand” and caught him. Still holding on to Peter, Jesus asks, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

Beloved in Christ, there are several lessons to learn from this Gospel. Top on the list is the stubborn fact of the disciples’ closeness to Jesus. They are his buddies. Yet, that closeness did not exempt them from the storm that almost claimed their lives. But here is the kicker. The very moment they needed help, Jesus was on hand. He came to them and saved them from a violent death. Our closeness to the Lord may not exclude us from life’s troubles, however, being close to him gives us hope that if he so wills it, he will help us overcome our troubles and storms. The second lesson from today’s Gospel is to never forget who you are with and who is with you. Peter took his eyes off Jesus, he was distracted by the strength of the waves which led to his sinking, but he immediately recovered and remembered that his Redeemer is with him as he cried out, “Lord, save me!” The third lesson has to do with Peter’s risky request and move. Do not be an impetuous disciple. Impulsive, rash, and reckless moves could endanger your life and that of others. Be careful what you ask for in prayer for you might get it. Fourthly, although there are 365 times in the Bible where we are urged to not be afraid, do not see every fear as a bad thing or evidence of little or no faith. Fear could be a good thing depending on what you do in the moment of fear and in the course of fear. Fear time can be an opportunity to turn towards God like Peter did. In fear, we can turn to God or turn away from Him. In fear, we can shut the doors of our lives and world or step out of it and see the moment as a rare moment of grace to look to heaven from where all help comes from. You can cry out to God in fear or cry out to people in frustration. When you are terrified, remember to say, “Lord, save me!” Finally, the reason why Peter walked on water for a moment and did not sink is because he acted on the Lord’s word and also kept his eyes on him. As long as he fixed his eyes on Jesus, he was trampling upon his problem on foot. If you keep your eyes on Jesus, you can trample upon snakes and scorpions (Lk. 10:19). With your eyes fixed on Jesus, the stone which otherwise could have been a stumbling block, will become a stepping stone. To turn away from Jesus is to turn away from life itself.