Mt 14:22-36
Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them.
And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.” Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”
He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret. After the people of that place recognized him, they sent word throughout the region and brought all who were sick to him, and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak; and all who touched it were healed.
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
Little Faith
Jesus says today: “You want to walk on water? Remember, your “little faith” is enough. Do you have doubts? Tell me about them.”
You of little faith. Why did you doubt?
I used to wince at this line. It seems a cruel thing to say to someone who had just demonstrated amazing effort at something difficult. Think about it. How wonderfully bold was Peter’s request to join Jesus on the water, how brave his getting out of the boat in the first place! So, is there another way to read the passage, without a snarky Jesus standing eager to rub Peter’s nose in it?
In the previous chapter, Jesus tells the Parable of the Mustard Seed, where we learned that having a “little faith” is all that’s needed. Thus, perhaps Jesus is not scolding Peter here so much as gently reminding him he has the “little faith” required to move mountains, or in this case, walk on water.
And perhaps, Jesus’ follow-up question, “Why did you doubt?” is not accusatory but kind and genuinely curious: Peter, friend, tell me, what’s still holding you back from fully trusting me? And moreover, how can I help?
—Christopher Alt, SJ, is a Jesuit scholastic of the Midwest Province. He is a psychotherapist now studying theology at the Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University.
Prayer
Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me.
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Saviour
—Lyrics from “Oceans (Where My Feet May Fail)” by Hillsong United, © 2012