19TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME A
LORD JESUS, RESCUE ME!
MT 14: 22-33
MESSAGE
A few months ago, one of the top universities in the Philippines lost two promising athletes who drowned while they were on a team-building activity on a beach; it led us to a sense of national mourning and grief. This reminds us that while water has a refreshing and rejuvenating quality, it also has a dark side to it. Water has signified chaos, damage, and destruction even in Biblical teaching.
Water engulfed the world in Noah’s time. Jonah was swallowed by a big fish when he was tossed into the raging sea. The apostles of the Lord Jesus showed trepidation when they encountered the stormy waters in one of their voyages. Water, symbol of newness and freshness, can also mean threat and danger.
This is why the sight of the Lord Jesus walking on the water was such a marvelous experience for the apostles. Never have they seen such a spectacle, even as most of them were seasoned fishermen. It was for them a steady assurance from the Master. He has control over the ravages of life’s tragic moments. He is impervious to destruction. He is fearless in the face of the most frightening moments of life. He is Lord of nature and all of creation!
Life on earth has been likened to a sea voyage, where uncertainty always reigns. Calm waters can shift so easily to stormy winds and tidal waves. In the face of it all, we are challenged to fix our eyes on the one who stands on top of it all; our Companion in the smooth ride as well as in the rocky seas. What we have never seen, nor even faintly imagined, the Lord can do for us as long as we put our trust in him. This was a forceful lesson for Peter, as he struggled between trusting the Lord and fearing for his life.
REFLECT
I have learned a short prayer of trust from reading the classic book, The Spiritual Combat. The author encouraged his readers to call on the Lord with full trust and confidence in moments of difficulties, and say: Lord Jesus, rescue me! Like he did to Peter, the Lord will manifest his love and power. Try saying this prayer, a variation of Peter’s cry, often: Lord Jesus, rescue me!
