Today's (Well actually yesterday's) Reading

Felt that I had to blog this down cos what Fr Barry said today made things so clear.

Matthew 14:22 - 31

Then Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people away. After sending the people away, he went up a hill by himself to pray. When evening came, Jesus was there alone; and by the time the boat was far out in the lake, tossed about by waves, because the wind was blowing against it.Between three and six o'clock in the morning Jesus came to the disciples walking on the water. When they saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. "It's a ghost!" they said, and screamed with fear. Jesus spoke to them at once. "Courage!" he said. "It is I. Don't be afraid!"
Then Peter spoke up. "Lord, if it is really you, order me to come out on the water to you.""Come!" answered Jesus. So Peter got out of the boat and started walking on the water to Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he was afraid and started to sink down in the water."Save me, Lord!" he cried.At once Jesus reached out and grabbed hold of him and said, "How little faith you have! Why did you doubt?"

Paraphrasing from Fr Barry, Jesus didn't explain in any of the gospels why there is evil in the world. Why innocent people die to acts of terrorists, tsunamis, starvation...the list goes on. But in this reading, the message in clear, when the waves are high, and the wind horrificly strong, and all you have is a tiny boat, with no radio to call for help, no life jackets, no rescue helicopter coming for you, Jesus is present. He is there with you, sharing your fear, anxiety, feeling of helplessness. All that He asks? That you have faith in him.

Note to myself: As I was copying out the verse from the bible, I noticed the phrase ".....At once Jesus reached out and grabbed hold of him..." At once e.g immediately e.g. without hesitation.