My Dear People, 

Today we have two instances of prayer along with God. In the first reading, there is Elijah who went to Mt. Horeb. In the Gospel, we have Jesus who during the night goes up the mountain to pray. This is to show the importance of and the need for prayer. Jesus took the opportunity to pray and pray alone with the Father. Great men do not neglect their prayer life. If they needed to renew their relationship with God through the communion of prayer, then how much more so do we need to? 

In both cases, we have the presence of storm imagery that serves as a distraction from concentrating on the presence of God. Elijah may have had unrealistic hopes for what could be accomplished by dramatic public miracles, and at Horeb he senses that God is not in the storm—a phenomena that shakes the mountain outside his cave. Likewise in the Gospel, when Peter takes his focus off of the Lord and starts to address the wind and the waves that are lashing at him, his faith begins to collapse. 

Even though Peter faltered, we give credit to Peter for his willingness to try to walk on water at the command of the Lord, something which most people would not even think about, let alone attempt. Peter attempted something for Jesus. It failed, and he needed to be rescued, but he learned from his attempt and grew stronger in his faith. One is reminded of Pope Francis’s statement to the effect that he would prefer to minister than to have to stay safely in the sanctuary and not get the Gospel out. 

The readings this week call us, as followers of Christ, away from an attitude of fear and intimidation. The wind and the waves that toss around us—the personal and public turmoil of our lives and world—are ultimately under the control of God. But gazing at all the turmoil can be a major distraction from God’s call—in Latin, his “vocation”—in our lives. Jesus called to Peter—“Come”—just as he beckons to each one of us. The challenge is to turn focus toward Him by concentrating on fulfilling our vocation daily, and not to capitulate to or fear the chaos that rages around us. 

We will always encounter obstacles, therefore what is important is to remain focused on Jesus. Thus, we will not falter! We will be able to do what Christ calls us to do. 

Yours in Christ, 

Fr. Vincent Clemente