"After he had fed the people, Jesus made the disciples get into a boat and precede him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. After doing so, he went up to the mountain by himself to pray. When it was evening he was there alone. Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore, was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it. During the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them walking on the sea. When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified. 'It's a ghost,' they said, and they cried out in fear. At once Jesus spoke to them, 'Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.' Peter said to him in reply, 'Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.' He said, 'Come.' Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, 'Lord, save me!' Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught Peter, and said to him, 'O you of little faith, why did you doubt?' After they got into the boat, the wind died down. Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying, 'Truly, you are the Son of God.'" (Matthew 14: 22-33)
The invitation Jesus extends to Peter to step out of the boat and walk onto the crashing waves is something that involves a risk. Risk leads to courage, courage leads to change, change leads to growth and growth leads to life. How can this be? All too often when faced with a choice, and more often with big life choices, we consider the following questions: "What will this cost me?" and "How will this draw me closer to the Lord?". Focused too much on the negative aspect of the decision at hand, we fail to see beyond ourselves. We were created to be vessels of God's love to the world. We were meant to be constantly "poured out like a libation" (2 Timothy 4:6) so that the world can experience, in a more profound way, the love God has for each individual soul.
We have a great example of this in St. Maximilian Kolbe whose feast day we celebrated yesterday. Here is a man who was not afraid of taking a risk. He spent himself by making Mary known and loved in the world, without any consideration of what might happen to him. This landed him in the concentration camp of Auschwitz-Berkenau. While there, he continued to spend himself ministering to the prisoners' spiritual needs. And going even further, he offered to take the place of a father and husband who was one of ten chosen to be killed after 3 prisoners had escaped the camp. St. Maximilian wasn't concerned by the fact that he was going to lose his life, but was rather concerned with someone else being able to live.
Are we willing to venture out into the deep; to get out of the boat? The uncertainties of life have the potential to discourage us but with our eyes focused on Jesus, we will not falter. I pray that we take risks in this life and choose to live. (Philipians 1:21)
(picture from project fraternity - @Proj_Frat)
St. Maximilian Kolbe, pray for us!
Written by Alycia
