Message of Abbot Paul - Tuesday 3rd August

Message from Fr Paul for Tuesday, 3rd August 2021

           Following on from the feeding of the five thousand, in Matthew’s Gospel, (Mt 14: 22-36), we find the episode of Jesus walking on the water, although before that happens, we go with him for a period of solitude and quiet prayer up in the hills. I’ve always found that these moments of intimacy with his heavenly Father reveal his divine sonship as much as do the miracles and the teaching. At times he would take his disciples along with him, but usually he would steal off alone. “Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side while he would send the crowds away. After sending the crowds away he went up into the hills by himself to pray.” Prayer was central to the earthly life of the Saviour and he taught his disciples by word and example that it was to be the same for them. When we pray, we enter into the prayer of Jesus. When we look on prayer in that way, it becomes much simpler and less distracting. Jesus prays with us and in us. We pray in his name. But while he was at prayer, the disciples were experiencing difficulties at sea.

“When evening came, he was there alone, while the boat, by now far out on the lake, was battling with a heavy sea, for there was a head-wind. In the fourth watch of the night, he went towards them, walking on the lake, and when the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. ‘It is a ghost’ they said, and cried out in fear. But at once Jesus called out to them, saying, ‘Courage! It is I! Do not be afraid.’” The disciples were filled with fear long before they saw Jesus walking towards them on the lake, but when they saw him, they were even more afraid, not realising who it was. Throughout the Old Testament, God had said to his people, “Fear not, it is I, I am with you,” and now Jesus uses the same words when trying to calm the fear of his disciples. As ever, it’s Peter who steps forward. “It was Peter who answered. ‘Lord,’ he said ‘if it is you, tell me to come to you across the water.’ ‘Come’ said Jesus. Then Peter got out of the boat and started walking towards Jesus across the water, but as soon as he felt the force of the wind, he took fright and began to sink. ‘Lord! Save me!’ he cried. Jesus put out his hand at once and held him. ‘Man of little faith,’ he said ‘why did you doubt?’ And as they got into the boat the wind dropped.” This episode is so well known. While Peter keeps his gaze fixed on Jesus, he too can walk on water, but the moment he begins to look at himself and take account of what’s happening around him, he starts to sink. At his cry for help, Jesus takes hold of him, while questioning his lack of faith. In the embrace of Jesus, he walks again on the surface of the lake until they get into the boat together. What they have seen brings forth in the men on board, probably more than just the disciples, the declaration of faith, “Truly, you are the Son of God.” We saw Jesus to be the Son of God in his solitude and prayer and now, together with the men in the boat, we see this confirmed by the miracle we have witnessed, added to which, Jesus has calmed the storm.

Once they reach the shore, the crowds, the healings start up again unrelentingly, but there’s also something new. People realise that they need only touch the hem or fringe of his garment and they can be healed. “Having made the crossing, they came to land at Gennesaret. When the local people recognised him, they spread the news through the whole neighbourhood and took all that were sick to him, begging him just to let them touch the fringe of his cloak. And all those who touched it were completely cured.” When I lived in Peru, I was always deeply moved by the sight of poor country folk, who would visit the church and bless themselves and their children with the veil of tabernacle such was their faith. I always used to pray, and still do, “Lord, give me faith like theirs.”