Jesus stretches out his hand (Andrew Peterson / Suzanne)

The world is whispering -- listen, child! --

The world is telling a tale.

When the seafoam froths in the water wild

Or the fendril flies in the gale,

When the sky is made with the swirling storm

And thunder shakes the hall,

Child, keep watch for the passing form

Of the One who made it all.

--Armulyn, Royal Bard of the Shining Isle,

in The Wingfeather Saga

by Andrew Peterson

    So often, when we falter, it can be hard to imagine that God wants us back, that God’s infinite love remains available to us, if we are open to it. 

    Look at Peter in the boat: he falters, though perhaps excusably so. When the disciples see Jesus walking toward them on the sea, they are terrified; only Peter is brave enough challenge their fear: Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water… And when Jesus summons him, Peter does stand and leave the boat, walking on water himself! It is ostensibly a brave act, a courageous move. 

    But then Peter falters – why? Because the wind is strong? Because his faith is weak? Because he doubts? Does it matter? 

    Here’s the thing, though: Jesus put the disciples on that boat, to travel alone… Jesus had a plan! It’s almost as if Jesus sets this up so that he has the very opportunity Peter seizes on: the opportunity to call them to himself! 

    I think sometimes we don’t realize quite how close, how often God calls us, and how near God wants us to himself – not just in the intimacy of quiet prayer, but in true and regular contact. Notice that, when Peter begins to sink, Jesus stretches out his hand and catches him. He takes him by the hand! Can you imagine? It’s almost as if Jesus sends them out so that he can say: Take courage! It is I… Do not be afraid! 

    Like Peter, we have all been called by name by the Lord, invited into relationship, and restored, daily, when we fail. That invitation comes not just once in a lifetime, not even just once a day, but every minute, in every choice we make, in every smile we see, in every fear we face, in every voice we hear… 

    Will we falter? Perhaps. But if we do, we can rest assured, Jesus is there, waiting, ready to call us and draw us near... 

--Suzanne T.,
OLMC Communion Service Reflection,
August 2, 2016

Image source: François Boucher, St. Peter Attempts to Walk on Water, Versailles (ca. 1764),  https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Saint_Pierre_tentant_de_marcher_sur_les_eaux_by_Fran%C3%A7ois_Boucher.jpg
Quotation source