1 Kings 19:9, 11-13 / Romans 9:1-5 / Matthew 14:22-33
Whenever we say that we “understand”, it means that we are clear about something.
So to say that we understand a topic or a subject, it means that we know what it is what it is all about or at least we have a good idea of it.
When we say that we understand someone, it means that we know that person’s thoughts and feel that person’s emotions.
So when we say we understand, it means a lot and it says a lot.
But somehow the word “understand” may seem to be made up of two words: under and stand. But it certainly does not mean to be standing under something.
In fact, it means to be standing in the midst of something and knowing what the situation is all about.
In a gospel, the disciples understood something. They were in a boat on the lake and battling with a heavy sea. They understood and they knew they were in danger.
But then came along something that they couldn’t understand at all. They saw Jesus walking on the water towards them, and they were terrified as they thought it was a ghost and they cried out in fear.
But Jesus called out to them saying: Courage! It is I! Do not be afraid!
Peter seemed to have understood that, and wanted to even walk on the water towards Jesus.
But as soon as he felt the force of the wind, he took fright and began to sink into the water.
Now, we know we can’t walk on water. Even if we can swim, it would be difficult to swim in a heavy sea.
What we are going through now is like what the disciples were going through.
We are hanging on to our faith but it is getting difficult. We are anxious, we are worried, we are even frightened.
There are so many bad and sad situations happening around us.
We want to keep walking towards Jesus but we are sinking into the cold murky waters.
Here we need to do what Peter did. He cried out: Lord, save me.
And Jesus put out His hand at once and held him.
We may have little faith, we may doubt, we may be frightened.
But let us cry out: Jesus, save me.
Jesus will put out His hand and hold us up.
Then we will truly understand who Jesus is and that He holds our hands especially when we are anxious, worried and sinking in fear.