Two times in the last week and again on Sunday, we heard the same Gospel. Did you notice? There is much to ponder, and if the Church is repeating it, there’s a reason.                        

We’re told, “Jesus made the disciples get into a boat and precede him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds.” (Matt14:22) I’m sure the disciples were riding high after feeding over 5,000 people and were resolute in following Jesus. Maybe now the Pharisees will take Him seriously; smooth sailing ahead.

I’ve been guilty, after a great retreat or a Jesus moment, of feeling that same high. Nothing can touch me now. Meanwhile, the boat of previously joyful disciples is suddenly in terror of drowning. If that wasn’t enough, there’s a ghost. Storms can invade any moment.

“At once Jesus spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” (Matt 14:27)

Jesus meets us right in the middle of the storms of life. He doesn’t wait until they are over. He never abandons us. Faith is built in moments of trust and strengthened in storms, especially when we turn to Christ rather than relying on ourselves.

“Peter said to him in reply, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”  He said, “Come.”   (Matt 14:28)

Consider this: if there weren’t a storm, Peter would never have walked on water.  How many storms in your life have opened the door to the impossible? I can say without hesitation that my storms, from needing four brain surgeries to being hit by a car, have led me to rely on the Lord constantly. My Catholic faith and love of Christ have refined me through storms of incredible magnitude, and through them I have accomplished impossible things, such as writing books and speaking internationally. Something I would have ever thought possible.

We know from the reading that Peter sank like a rock when he took his eyes off Jesus. He let outside distractions overwhelm him. Yet, despite his seeming failure, we can learn a critical lesson: keep your eyes on Jesus and when in trouble, immediately call on the Lord.

“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?” (Matt 14:30)

Jesus came to Peter’s assistance immediately. How do we permit our “little faith” to fall into dangerous temptation? By failing to believe with every fiber of our being that God can help us. This was the original lie Satan told Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. “Did God really say…” (Gen3:1). Why do we doubt God’s love and care for us?

I contend that we still fall prey to the whisper of the ancient serpent by allowing evil to convince us that God cannot be trusted. We cannot get mighty miracles when we suffer great doubt.

For me, I wrestle with my expectations for a particular outcome, but I am working on completely surrendering every situation to the Lord of the Universe. Repeatedly, I am overwhelmed by His solutions and timing.

Jesus says to each one of us, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” He knows us through and through and continues to send little unknown nuns to spread the news about His Sacred Heart and unfathomable mercy. He sends His Mother all over the world to also remind us of His great love and care for us, and how we must hurt His heart when we limit the possibilities because of doubt.

What is the solution?

Trust and surrender. Each morning and evening, entrust every aspect of your day, each person you will encounter, and every storm into the Heart of Jesus. Imagine giving it all into His Hands and letting go. Every time I want to take something back, I remind myself to leave it alone because Jesus is taking care of it. Jesus, I trust in you. This may seem too simplistic to be effective, but the best solutions are often simple. When we fail to hand over our troubles to God, it points to a bigger issue: a lack of faith in God’s goodness, truth, and love.

Even Thomas, who once doubted, was able to proclaim with certainty, “My Lord and my God.” (Jn 20:28)

Pray we too, will follow his example.