DAILY GOSPEL READING
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/080222.cfm
Friends, in today’s Gospel, Jesus comes to his disciples walking on the water. Whenever we encounter the disciples in a boat, we are dealing with the Church, the barque of Peter. Here we see the beginning of the Church’s journey through time.
Winds and waves toss the barque. Anyone acquainted with Church history knows the truth of this—and it’s a special comfort for those enduring our tumultuous times. We are engaged in a spiritual warfare, a battle not against flesh and blood but against powers and principalities.
Early in the morning, the disciples saw Jesus coming toward them, “walking on the sea.” Terrified, they cried out. But Jesus calmed them with the words, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” Then Peter said, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”
Peter stands preeminently for the Church across the ages. And here is the Church at its best, reaching out in confidence to Christ. The fruit of that confidence is participation in the Lord’s power: Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. Relying on our own power, we can do nothing. But relying on him, we can do anything.
Original Source can be found here.
