Then he made the disciples get into the boat and precede him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When it was evening he was there alone. Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore, was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it. During the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them, walking on the sea. When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified. "It is a ghost," they said, and they cried out in fear. At once (Jesus) spoke to them, "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid." Peter said to him in reply, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." He said, "Come." Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw how (strong) the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!" Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" After they got into the boat, the wind died down. Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying, "Truly, you are the Son of God."

Introductory Prayer: Lord, I believe that you are God, the Creator of the heavens and earth. I know that with you, I can do anything. I trust in your power to guide and transform my life. I love you because you loved me first and want me to be with you forever in heaven. Increase my faith, O Lord, in your power and love!

Petition: Lord Jesus, many contrary winds rock my boat and make it difficult to do your will. How frightening they are when I endure them without you! Teach me to keep my eyes centered on you so that despite the dark and difficulty my faith will give me courage.

1. "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid." In the darkness of night, beset by the contrary wind, the apostles feel the waves pummel their small fishing boat. Though experienced with the might of the sea and no strangers to storms, they still have to struggle frantically, rowing and bailing out the water that crashes over the side. Drenched and tired they fight the seas violence for hours on end.

Though on edge and aching, we are not told the apostles are terrified until the fourth watch of the night, when they see someone walking towards them upon the water. They think it is a ghost; it is gaining on them; they have no way to escape. They pull harder on the oars as they cry out in fear. 

Then an authoritative voice rises over the winds, a voice they recognize. Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid. There is still doubt and fear, how is this possible? Now they have a storm in their minds and hearts to match the winds raging about them. What can this mean?

How often in life we relive the experience of the apostles. Everything is a battle, and it seems we cant get through it. We struggle, relying upon our own resourcefulness and strength, yet the winds dont die down. It seems hopeless. No progress to speak of. Then, in a moment of grace, we catch a glimpse of Christ, facing the storm too, conquering it. We need to listen to his words, Take courage, it is I. No matter how big the problem, how dark the crisis or perplexing the dilemma, Christ is always there, never far from us, he is right there. He tells me not to fear the difficulties, for he is there. 

2. "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water."  Come! Peter is not convinced; he launches a challenge. What was he thinking? What possessed him to yell out these words over the power of the wind? What did the others think? He recognized Jesus voice but he cant come to reconcile the objections of his reason. He blurts out the words almost, it seems, without thinking.

At Jesus answer, Come! Peter does something more amazing and even rash. What possessed him to do so? Each one can try to imagine how it happened, but Peter finds himself by the side of the boat, now on the water and stepping out toward Jesus. He still doesnt seem to be thinking about what he was doing. We can only imagine what the others did, how they reacted to the scene unfolding in front of them.

Peter shows us that our prayer in times of trial must not be for Jesus to end the storm, but for him to help us walk through it without it pulling us under. Peter shows us how to trust in Christ. Total, radical trust that drives us to walk on water, to persevere, to use our difficulties in order to get closer to him. The water, the power that the apostles thought was going to sink them, is what holds Peter up. So often this happens in the Churchs history and in our days, we fear persecution and difficulty will sink the Church but it only makes her stronger. We should never pray for a life without difficulty if we truly want to come close to Christ.

3. When he saw how strong the wind was he feared, he began to sink, he called out Jesus says, Why did you doubt?" Peter finds himself on the water, walking toward Jesus. For a moment he had eyes only for Jesus, but then he began to realize what he was doing. He looked at the waves churned up by the wind and, when they have his undivided attention, unmitigated fear sets in and Peter starts to sink.

Without Jesus we will sink in our difficulties. How often we experience this: a retreat, a good confession, things go well for a while, we pray, we are new people, but then we slacken, our focus eases, we begin to look not at what we have already been able to do with his help but instead at the difficulties that still remain. 

Peter calls out. As he sinks, he realizes his error. He doesnt despair. As he would some time later, when once again he is caught by fear of the waves and denies his Master three times, he looks at Jesus, realizes his mistake and reaches out desperately for pardon and help.  Jesus pulls him up, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" Peter can only respond with silence. The winds are still strong and they do not die down until Peter and Jesus get into the boat.

Once again, Peter provides us with the pattern.

Conversation: Lord Jesus, when I face adversity, difficulty and trials enable me to keep my eyes on you. I know you are the Almighty Lord of heaven and earth. I know that you loved me so much that you died for me. My trust is based on this faith. I will trust you no matter what you may ask me to do. I will keep my eyes centered on you, your love and your power, and in that conviction I will renew each day my resolutions, knowing you will be with me. 
 
Questionnaire:

1. What are the adverse winds I face today in my life?

2. What do I do so as to remain faithful and strong when faced with difficulty?

3. What are the distractions and fears that make me take my eyes off of Jesus? How can I counteract them?