Drowning in our anxiety
But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened (Mt 14, 30)
[After the crowd had eaten], Jesus made the disciples get into a boat and precede him to the other side of the sea, while he dismissed the crowds. After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When it was evening he was there alone. Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore, was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it. During the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them, walking on the sea. When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified. “It is a ghost,” they said, and they cried out in fear. At once Jesus spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” Peter said to him in reply,“Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” After they got into the boat, the wind died down. Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying,“Truly, you are the Son of God.” After making the crossing, they came to land at Gennesaret. When the men of that place recognized him, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought to him all those who were sick and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak, and as many as touched it were healed.(Mt 14, 22-36)
Just as St. Peter, frightened by the violence of the wind and for this reason begins to sink into the water, each of us sinks into the difficulties of the present and into the fears and uncertainties about the future. When we look away from Jesus, we turn Him down in the frantic search for apparent material security. By doing so, we distance the heart from respecting Divine Will, thus risking to drown in the sea of restlessness. Do you want to entrust yourself completely to the Lord, since it is the only certainty that never makes those who cling to Him waver?
