NOTES for Mat 14:22-34
In today’s passage about walking on the water, there are words that most directly allow us to feel that we are God’s children. Words that resound within us every time during the most difficult moments of our lives: “...it is I; do not be afraid.”
The world is frightening. When we look around us, we realize how frightening, cruel, and bloody it is. But just as a child who has been put to bed and sees frightening monsters in the darkness of his room is calmed as soon as he sees his mother looking in on him, so we, hearing these words, find within ourselves the strength to step out of our boat into the raging sea. This teaches us to rise above the animal fear for our own life and the lives of our loved ones, holding fast to only one fear—the fear of grieving God.
There is one more thing we must understand as we reflect on these words. Our breakthrough to God always takes place in solitude. Just as Peter stood up and, leaving his friends in the boat, went alone across the waves to meet Christ, so we attain true communion with God only after closing the door of our room behind us and remaining alone with God.