P ♰ C

by Jean Allen

Every time I read the Gospel about Peter attempting to walk on the water, I always question whether the words, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” were spoken just to Peter or if Jesus was including all the disciples. Obviously, Jesus spoke the words loud enough so they could all hear over the noise of the strong winds and the waves battering the boat. What Jesus said wasn’t just a quiet aside to Peter out on the water. Of course, Matthew, who wrote the account, wrote it like Jesus said it to Peter alone. But those disciples had been terrified as well and they did not try to step out of the boat when Jesus said, “Come.”

Maybe Jesus wasn’t talking to Peter at all. His faith was strong enough to begin, to take the first step. Maybe Matthew was a bit jealous of Peter’s bravery and initial faith. Maybe he wished he had done it as well. Maybe Jesus discerned Matthew’s thoughts and, perhaps, the embarrassment of the other disciples who didn’t even try because of fear. Perhaps Jesus was addressing the fears of all of them when they continued to be terrified even after he said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.”

I think we can all relate to the feelings of continuing fear even though we know Jesus said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.” I’m not sure most of us are even aware of what we are invited to do in the midst of our fears. We are invited to take a risk and for each of us the risk will be different, according to the area we need to grow in. Jesus actually didn’t expect all his disciples to step out of the boat; he told just Peter to come. Still, he did address their individual fears, telling them that their faith was incomplete at that point. In the future, each one, including Peter, would be challenged to take more risks as their faith increased.

In other words, staying safely in the boat is not an option for growth.