“Lord, if it is You, tell me to come to you on the water.” Mt. 14:22-36

Again we see Jesus praying alone, on the mountain. In this account of Jesus walking on water and calming the wind, it seems that Matthew wants to show the spiritual journey of the community and especially of Peter. The disciples, seeing him walk on water, forget the Jesus of solidarity and see him only as “a ghost” approaching in the darkness. Peter, when Jesus identifies himself, recognizes him. Peter asks Him to draw him and follows with confident audacity the invitation of Jesus walk on the water. But then, Peter hesitates, begins to sink, and is saved by Jesus. It seems that Peter is not afraid because he is sinking, but he is sinking because he is afraid. This is an episode that illustrates the attitude of the Christian community in its journey in the midst of crises and difficulties. And it can be the attitude of each one of us, disciples who, although graced with so many manifestations of the Lord’s love, are not capable of trusting blindly in the permanent presence of the Risen Lord, especially in this historical moment of the world and of the Church. Today let us ask for the grace of a confident and bold hope.