Peter holds a special place in the Gospel of Matthew. This episode of Peter looking to come to Jesus across the water, in chapter 14, is only found in this gospel as if the commissioning of Peter in chapter 16. Both incidents shine a spotlight on Peter's faith. In the incident related today Peter, impetuous as ever, looks to test the extent of Jesus' authority: "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water" (Mtt 14: 28). In the end it is Peter who is tested and his faith is found wanting. Peter cries out: "Lord, save me!" (Mtt 14: 30)The key message, it seems to me, is the absolute necessity of faith, which is defined in the Letter to the Hebrews as: "... the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." (Heb 11: 1) If we rely only on the material things of this world, or scientific data or experiments about them, we will surely sink. Even more so if we rely solely on our own reason or understanding of reality to live our lives. We look not for an earthly utopia where all troubles will magically disappear. Rather, we look forward to the fulfillment of what Christ promised us: "...we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness will be at home." (2 Pt 3: 13) Sunday Mass is like the boat that carries us through the storms of life. Let us not be carried away such that we think we can "go it alone." St Paul teaches us: "So we are always confident; even though we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord - for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we do have confidence, and would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him." (2 Cor 5: 6-9)
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