1 Kings 19:9a, 11-13a, Psalm 85(84): 9ab, 10-14, Romans 9:1-5 & Matthew 14:22-33
Take Courage. It Is I. Do Not Be Afraid
My dear brothers and sisters,
There are moments in life when everything seems to be going well. And then, suddenly, the storm comes. Sometimes it is a storm in the family. Sometimes it is a health problem. Sometimes it is financial difficulty, loneliness, disappointment, or uncertainty about the future.
When the storm comes, one of the hardest questions is: “Where is God?” That is exactly the question today’s readings invite us to reflect on. They speak to three very human experiences: fear, discouragement, and the struggle to recognise God’s presence when life becomes difficult.
In the first reading, Elijah is exhausted and discouraged. He has been faithful to God and has worked passionately for the Lord, yet he now feels alone and threatened. He came to Mount Horeb, where the Lord told him to stand on the mountain because the Lord is about to pass by.
Then came a powerful wind. But the Lord is not in the wind. Then an earthquake. But the Lord is not in the earthquake. Then came fire. But the Lord is not in the fire. And after the fire came “a sound of sheer silence.” It was in that silence that Elijah encountered God. What a beautiful reminder for anyone searching for God.
God does not always come in dramatic fashion. Sometimes people expect God to speak through something extraordinary. They want a clear sign. They want an immediate answer. They want God to change the situation at once. But sometimes God speaks quietly. Sometimes he is found in silence. Sometimes he is present in a moment of prayer, in the kindness of another person, in a word from Scripture, or simply in the quiet assurance that says: “Do not be afraid. I am with you.”
And that brings the Gospel into focus. Jesus sends his disciples across the lake while he goes up the mountain alone to pray. Again, the mountain becomes a place of prayer and encounter with God. Throughout Scripture, mountains are associated with moments when people encounter the Lord. Moses encounters God on Mount Sinai. Elijah encounters God on Horeb. Later, Peter, James, and John will encounter the glory of Christ on the mountain of the Transfiguration.
Jesus himself often withdraws from the crowds to pray. Luke tells us: “He would withdraw to deserted places and pray.” There is something important here for modern life. The world is full of noise. There are phones, messages, news, social media, responsibilities, worries, and endless demands for attention. Sometimes people can be surrounded by noise and still feel empty inside.
Jesus shows us another way. He withdraws. He becomes quiet. He prayed. And while Jesus is on the mountain praying, the disciples are on the sea struggling against the wind. They are in the storm even though they are doing what Jesus asked them to do. They are not in the boat because they disobeyed him. They are there because Jesus sent them. And yet the storm came.
This is an important lesson for Christian life. Being faithful to God does not mean that there will never be storms. Sometimes people think that if they pray enough, believe enough, or do everything right, life should become easy. But the Gospel does not make that promise. The disciples are obedient, and there is still a storm. They are faithful, and there are still waves. They are following Jesus, and they are still afraid, but Jesus is always with us.
In the midst of the darkness, Jesus came towards them. He was walking on the water. The disciples were terrified. They thought they were seeing a ghost. But Jesus said: “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.” Those words lie at the heart of today’s Gospel: “Do not be afraid.” Jesus does not promise there will be no storm. He promises his presence in the storm. Peter then said: “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” Jesus said: “Come.” And Peter stepped out of the boat. Imagine that moment. Peter takes a step of faith. He is doing something impossible. For a moment, everything goes well. But then Peter looks around. He notices the wind. He notices the waves. And suddenly, the storm becomes more real to him than Jesus. He began to sink. And he cried out: “Lord, save me!” Immediately, Jesus reached out his hand. That may be one of the most comforting moments in the whole Gospel. Peter is sinking, but Jesus is there. Peter is afraid, but Jesus is there. Peter’s faith is weak, but Jesus is there. Peter has taken his eyes away from Christ, but Christ has not taken his eyes away from Peter. And that is good news for every one of us. Because there are times when people also begin to sink.
They may begin with confidence, hope, and faith. Then something happens. A difficult diagnosis. A broken relationship. The loss of a loved one. Financial pressure. Problems at work. Family difficulties. An uncertain future. And suddenly, the storm seems bigger than anything else. The temptation is to stare at the waves, to focus constantly on the problem, and to become overwhelmed by fear.
But today’s Gospel poses a simple question: Where are the eyes fixed? Are they fixed on the storm, or on Christ? The storm may still be there. The waves may still be strong. But Christ is also there. And when a person begins to sink, there is no need for a complicated prayer. Peter offers the prayer: “Lord, save me.” Three simple words. Yet they come from the heart. And Jesus responds.
The second reading offers another important lesson. Paul speaks with deep sorrow of his fellow Israelites who have not accepted Christ. His faith has not made him indifferent to others. Quite the opposite. His love for Christ has made him deeply concerned for the salvation and well-being of his people. This is what genuine faith does. Faith opens the heart. A person who truly encounters Christ cannot remain indifferent to others’ suffering. Faith becomes compassion. Faith becomes service. Faith becomes love. That is why Jesus says: “Love one another as I have loved you.”
Today’s readings leave the faithful with three simple invitations. First: learn to recognise God in the silence. God may not always speak through dramatic events. Sometimes his voice is found in quietness, prayer, and stillness. Second: when the storm comes, keep your eyes fixed on Christ. The storm may be real. The pain may be real. The fear may be real. But Christ is also real, and he does not remain distant. He comes towards his people. Third: let faith become love. A relationship with Christ should never turn people inward. It should make their hearts more compassionate, more generous, and more attentive to those who are suffering.
My dear brothers and sisters, the Christian life is not a promise that there will be no storms. The disciples were in the boat because Jesus had sent them there, yet the storm still came. So, when the storm comes, Christians should not immediately conclude: “God has abandoned me.” The Gospel tells a different story. Jesus sees the disciples. He comes towards them and speaks to them. And when Peter begins to sink, Jesus reaches out his hand. Perhaps someone today feels a little like Peter. Perhaps someone is tired. Perhaps someone is frightened. Perhaps someone is facing a storm that no one else can see. Perhaps someone has been praying and wondering why God has not yet answered.
Today’s Gospel offers a simple message: Do not be afraid. Christ is not absent. He is present even in the storm. And if the storm becomes too strong, there is no need to pretend to be strong. There is no need for perfect words. There is only the prayer of Peter: “Lord, save me.” And then comes the promise: Christ reaches out his hand. So let the faithful remember today: When God seems silent, listen. When the storm comes, look to Christ. When others are suffering, love them. And when the waters begin to rise, simply pray: “Lord, save me.” And trust that his hand is already reaching out. Amen.
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