"Then Peter called to him, 'Lord, if it's really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water." — Mat 14:28 (NLT)
During His lifetime on earth, in the midst of daily activities, Jesus always found time to be alone so He was able to have a deep talk and a long conversation with His Father in heaven. That was His strength and source of inspiration. From His human nature, Jesus experienced everything we have ever experienced except sin. He sought source of strength all the night long, because the relief of sharing with His Father is an immeasurable pleasure, beyond the pleasure and satisfaction of sleeping all the night long, just like most of us.
Jesus showed us the right direction to draw to this One and Only Source of Strength when facing life's troubles. Sometimes we are too proud to admit that actually our minds are empty and dry, we need God's presence. Nowadays especially in the cities we easily find worldly places for hiding problems, places to burry a while our dryness when encountering chaos such as discotheques, karaoke clubs and pubs, etc.
Because of the luxury that sometimes we easily find, it is easy for modern people to doubt or even laugh at God's believers because they do not believe in the existence of God who created the universe. Some said that if God exists, why there’s suffering and a cross to bear, why there’s sickness and death? Mankind's doubts about God's existence are represented by Peter's expression in Verse 28, "Lord, if You are, tell me to come to You walking on water". In our daily life, when Jesus ensures us that He is always there in each life struggle, our hearts are still not fully convinced so we go further to seek self-satisfaction and finally sink like Peter who doubted the presence of Jesus walking on the water.
God's majesty and mercy are always with His people. During this time of advent where we found ourselves on this fourth week, there are activities around the Christians. Some are so enthusiastic to welcome Baby Jesus, so much in preparing hearts by going to confession, living in peace with families, but there are also some people who are waiting for Jesus with a cold heart, just going along with the crowd and having their own opinion about Christmas just as an annual Christian rites without meaning. They cannot see the spiritual beauty behind the great celebration itself. The incarnation of Jesus happened because He wanted to save sinners, especially those who live in great sins, in confusion, discouragement and almost drown. Throw away your doubts, come, let us not hesitate to welcome Him together.
Reflection on Mathew 14:22-36 by Sr. Yanti Purnawati SFSC
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