Come

We often think of Peter as a rash, impulsive guy.

One who speaks or acts before he thinks.

One who wasn't always on the same page with Jesus.

When Jesus told his disciples of his coming Passion,

Peter quickly admonished him for saying such things.

Prompting Jesus to say, Get behind me, Satan.

At the Last Supper, Peter blurted out with supreme confidence,

Lord, others may deny you but I never will.

At Jesus' arrest he impulsively drew his sword and cut off a servant's ear.

An act that Jesus immediately corrected.

So in the boat, in the storm, recognizing Jesus approaching, walking on the water—

We might not be surprised to see Peter just jump overboard to run to him.

But he doesn't.

Instead he says, Lord, command me to come to you.

And waited to hear Jesus' simple command: Come.

So we don't see a rash Peter, doing the impossible and suddenly realizing his limitations.

We see a Peter who knew he couldn't do it alone.

But knew he could do it if Jesus commanded it.

That makes it all the more disappointing when Peter sinks.

Sinking didn't show just lack of confidence in his own ability or lack of faith in himself.

It showed that his faith in Jesus still had some weakness.

But even then, as he sank in his weak faith, Jesus came to his aid.

Jesus will help us just as he helped Peter.

If Jesus commands something, he also enables it.

He actively helps us to follow him; to follow his commands.

And he's already given us commands.

At the highest level he's given us the two great commandments.

Love God and love neighbor.

At a lower, more detailed level,

We have all the rules and decisions and actions that stem from those commands.

Whenever we see that we're struggling to take action.

Whenever we're uncertain and need to see if we're on the right page.

Whenever we just need encouragement.

When we doubt our ability to follow the path Jesus has shown us.

Even when it looks impossible.

We can do like Peter did.

We can ask Jesus to command us to follow him—to come to him.

And we can listen for his affirming command.

Come.

Fortunately for us, Jesus doesn't mind repeating himself.

He's always calling us to come to him.

And he's always ready to enable and assist.

Tuesday, 18th Week of  Ordinary Time

Mt 14:22-36         Read this Scripture @usccb.org