NOTES for Mat 14:22-34

In today's passage about walking on the water, there are words that enable us in the most direct way to feel that we are God's own children. These words resound within us whenever we face the most difficult moments of our lives: “...it is I; do not be afraid.”

The world is frightening. When we look around, we realise how frightening, cruel, and bloody it is. But just as a child who has been put to bed and imagines terrifying monsters in the darkness of the room is calmed as soon as their mother looks in, so we, on hearing these words, find the strength within us to step out of our boat into the raging sea. This teaches us to rise above the animal fear for our own lives and the lives of those close to us, and to cling to just one fear: the fear of grieving God.

There is one more thing we must understand as we reflect on these words. Our breakthrough toward God always takes place in solitude. Just as Peter stood up, left his friends in the boat, and went alone across the waves to meet Christ, so we attain true communion with God only when we have shut the door of our room behind us and remained alone with God.