by Msgr. Joseph P. Calise

Last week we heard the Gospel of the multiplication of the loaves. It begins with Jesus wanting a much-needed rest after the death of John the Baptist, but being denied that rest because, upon seeing the crowds, he wanted to meet their needs.

This week’s Gospel begins with Jesus claiming that rest. He sends the disciples ahead of him in a boat and retreats to the mountain to pray. John the Baptist’s mission was completed. He prepared the way of the Lord. Jesus’ mission is gaining momentum, and his disciples are about to receive a great lesson which also applies to us today.

As Jesus is praying, the disciples get into their boat and start making their way to the other shore. They have been traveling with Jesus and so have kept the same schedule as He. They too are upset over the death of John the Baptist and wondering what effect that will have on them. They are tired and rowing a boat. To add to their situation, “the boat … was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it.” What could possibly complete the scene except a ghost! So, a ghost appears walking on the water.

Sensing their fear, Jesus assures them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”

The first thing I find interesting is that Jesus did not calm the storm. He certainly could have, but there was a greater lesson to be learned. The scene offers a clear contrast between the frightened apostles rowing the boat and the serene Jesus walking toward them. It is the same weather they are facing, but their reactions are very different. Jesus does not move to change the elements but the reaction of the apostles. Do not be afraid.

Hoping it is Jesus, Peter says, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” So he commands, and so Peter does. Until suddenly, Peter realizes that he is walking on water and begins to sink. He did not believe that he could do what he was doing as he was doing it. Again, Jesus’ hand was there to help.

Jesus was not calming the storm because he was teaching the apostles that they could get through it with his help. He would empower them to do what was necessary if they trusted him and the strength he gave them.

When I look back on my life, I can think of several times when I faced situations which I found baffling. Wondering how I would ever get through them, somehow I got through them. Reflection and prayer remind us that it is God’s help that sees us through what we cannot do alone. The challenge, the lesson of the Gospel, is to stay aware that the hand of Jesus is extended to help us during those moments as they are happening. Not to feel, as Peter did, that we cannot and begin to sink. But to know that he is present to see us through any storm. To be confident of his presence not only in reflection but, even more importantly, in the moment we need.

Every Labor Day from 1966 to 2010, Jerry Lewis hosted the Muscular Dystrophy Telethon. It was always a very touching event that inspired some tremendous acts of generosity. After a grueling 24-25 hours on stage, Jerry Lewis would reveal the final total of donations, confetti would fall, lights would dim except for one spotlight, and Jerry would sing a song from Rodgers and Hammerstein’s hit musical, “Carousel.” The song was “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” and contained the verse, “When you walk through a storm keep your head up high and don’t be afraid of the dark. … Walk on, walk on — with hope in your heart and you’ll never walk alone.”

Or, as Jesus would say, “Take courage. Do not be afraid; I am here.”

Msgr. Joseph P. Calise is the pastor of Transfiguration-St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish in Maspeth.