Peter spoke up and said, “Lord, if it is really you, tell me to come to you across the water.” “Come!” he said…. But when Peter perceived how strong the wind was, becoming frightened, he began to sink and cried out, “Lord, save me!” Jesus at once stretched out his hand and caught him. “How little faith you have!” “Why did you falter?”

I know that we all become mesmerized when we hear that Jesus walked on water. We think, how did it happen.

That is truly not the most important part of this story. The more important part of the story is about Peter’s attempt to walk on water. When he believed he was able to walk out to meet Jesus, he was able to do it. It was only when he perceived how strong the wind was that he began to sink. When Peter calls for help Jesus speaks these very poignant words: How little faith you have! Why did you falter?

The story tells us that if we have faith we can overcome even the most difficult of challenges. The fact is that so often, when we see the strength of the challenges confronting us, we falter in our faith. This story clearly tells us that if we continue to be strong in our faith we will survive and, in fact, even walk on top of the challenges.

We have to remember that life must present us with challenges in order for us to spiritually grow. If we never face challenges, we will not grow. This earthly life is all about spiritual growth. Spiritual growth only happens when we draw upon our faith to help us to live-through and truly confront life’s challenges.

This particular story of Jesus walking on water is so singular in the synoptic gospels that scholars believe that in its original context it belongs after the resurrection. Whether this was the original context or not, and it seems probably that it is, the story has a symbolic significance. This chapter begins that portion of Matthew that is called the ecclesiastical portion. The disciples in the boat represent, in a not too subtle way, the Church, from which Jesus is never far even when the situation is threatening and he is invisible. Peter’s attempt, only recorded in Matthew, increases the symbolic significance of the story. His position in the Twelve is affirmed, suggesting that he has responsibilities not shared by the others. In order to meet these responsibilities, he has to have faith.   Think about this!