First reading: 1 Kgs. 19:9a,11–13a
At the mountain of God, Horeb, Elijah came to a cave where he took shelter. Then the LORD said to him, “Go outside and stand on the mountain before the LORD; the LORD will be passing by.” A strong and heavy wind was rending the mountains and crushing rocks before the LORD—but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake—but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake there was fire—but the LORD was not in the fire. After the fire there was a tiny whispering sound. When he heard this, Elijah hid his face in his cloak and went and stood at the entrance of the cave.
Second reading: Rom. 9:1–5
Brothers and sisters: I speak the truth in Christ, I do not lie; my conscience joins with the Holy Spirit in bearing me witness that I have great sorrow and constant anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my own people, my kindred according to the flesh. They are Israelites; theirs the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises; theirs the patriarchs, and from them, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.
Gospel: Mt. 14:22–33
After he had fed the people, Jesus made the disciples get into a boat and precede him to the other side, 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 Peter, 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.”
In other words
Fr. Lino E. Nicasio, SVD (Villa Cristo Rey, Christ the King Mission Seminary, Quezon City)
Once I tried walking on water: I nearly drowned. This is impossible unless one is divine, as the Lord Jesus Christ is. Why did Jesus do it?
Among many reasons, Jesus was still praying, and the disciples were in a hurry to sail due to bad weather. And that Jesus, left behind and finding no more boat trips available, decided to walk on water.
And what a frightful sight: in the midst of the bad weather the disciples thought they were seeing a ghost. Upon reassurance that it was Jesus, Peter decides to ask Him if he, too, could walk on water. Peter did until he lost trust in Jesus due to the elements. What, then, are the lessons for us?
First, like Jesus, we should have prayer time. Nothing should prevent us from dropping it.
Second, Jesus is with us always, even in the storms of life, to comfort and reassure us of His abiding presence.
Third, just as Jesus allowed Peter to walk on water, He will enable us to do great things in life. Provided we never lose sight of Him and never waver in our trust in Him. Thus the invocation: “Jesus, I trust in You.”
Last, Jesus as the Son of God has power over the elements like bad weather. But He can also calm our wayward feelings, emotions and passions if we call on Him for help. And we can be assured of his help always, 24/7.