“Courage, it is I, do not be afraid,” Matthew 14:22-36

Today’s Gospel tells of the disciples’ journey through a difficult sea, pushed by the contrary wind in the middle of the night. Jesus approaches walking on water, but fear prevents them from recognizing him: He seems to them a ghost. Only when they hear his voice — “Courage, it is I, don’t be afraid.” — do they dare to trust. We too, like Peter, can falter and sink, but Jesus stretches out his hand and sustains us. The question for you today in prayer: Why do you doubt? In your life, was there any wind like this?  How did you overcome it? How does recognizing the presence of Jesus in your own waves help you today?