Can We Walk on Water?

Devotional Reflection, Friday, June 6, 2024

Proper 4, the week of the second Sunday after Pentecost

The Rev. David W. Perkins, Th.D.

Key phrases for reflection from today’s Gospel reading:

28Peter answered him, ‘Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.’ 29He said, ‘Come.’ So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. 30But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’  31Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, ‘You of little faith, why did you doubt?’

You will find the full text of today’s Gospel reading at the end of this reflection.

Daily Office Lectionary Readings, (BCP, 968)

AM Psalm 40, 54; PM Psalm 51

Eccles. 5:1-7; Gal. 3:15-22; Matt. 14:22-36

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Pioneers of the Episcopal Church of Brazil.

(See below.)

David’s Reflections

“You of little faith, why did you doubt?”  That was Jesus’ question to Peter.  It appears that Peter could have continued walking on the water had his fears not gotten the best of him.

Could we applaud Peter’s ambition and desire to be with Jesus on the stormy water?  I think so.  Jesus invites us to keep company with him and to join with him in what he is about in the world.  This episode makes me wonder just what more I might be capable of were it not for my fears and self doubts.

Our cliché in English, “walk on water,” comes from this episode.  We assume that the desire to walk on water is a bad thing, a sort of overachieving that does not recognize limits.  Yet, if I understand Jesus’ response to Peter, Peter’s desire was not misdirected.

Can you think of areas of your life where you have been sitting in the boat, hesitant to launch out onto the stormy surface?  Your heart desires to go there but the waves just look too high.  Perhaps you could select just one of those risky choices, maybe the least risky.

Now that you have that least risky option before you, what would be the worst thing that could happen if you did not climb out onto the waves?  What would be the worst thing that could happen if you did?  Would you prefer to live with the shame of giving in to your fears and doubts or with the consequences of having launched out and sunk.

If atempting to walk on water proves not to be overreach, Jesus has no chance to grasp our wrist and help us up if we still are in the boat.  I wonder what happened with Peter after Jesus helped him.  Did they walk together back to the boat? Is the desire to be with Jesus on the stormy waters going a step too far? If Jesus' response to Peter tells us anything, I would hear it saying, discern, ask for Jesus' guidance, and then follow it. If he invites you out of the boat, then go.

Collect of the Day: Proper 4

O God, your never-failing providence sets in order all things both in heaven and earth: Put away from us, we entreat you, all hurtful things, and give us those things which are profitable for us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP, 229)

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Pioneers of the Episcopal Anglican Church of Brazil. http://www.satucket.com/lectionary/pioneers_ieab.htm

Collect of the Feast of the Pioneers of the Episcopal Anglican Church of Brazil

O God, who sent your Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: We bless you for those who joined together to establish the Episcopal Anglican Church of Brazil; and we pray that we, like them, may be ready to preach Christ crucified and risen, and to encourage and support those who pioneer new missions in him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Of the Holy Cross

Especially suitable for Fridays

Almighty God, whose beloved Son willingly endured the agony and shame of the cross for our redemption: Give us courage to take up our cross and follow him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.  (BCP, 253)

A Collect for Quiet Confidence

O God of peace, who has taught us that in returning and rest we shall be saved, in quietness and confidence shall be our strength: By the might of your Spirit lift us, we pray, to your presence, where we may be still and know that you are God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.  (BCP, 832)

A Collect for Early Evening

Almighty, everlasting God, let our prayer in your sight be as incense, the lifting up of our hands as the evening sacrifice. Give us grace to behold you, present in your Word and Sacraments, and to recognize you in the lives of those around us. Stir up in us the flame of that love which burned in the heart of your Son as he bore his passion, and let it burn in us to eternal life and to the ages of ages. Amen.  (BCP, 113)

A Prayer for Light

O Lord God Almighty, as you have taught us to call the evening, the morning, and the noonday one day; and have made the sun to know its going down: Dispel the darkness of our hearts, that by your brightness we may know you to be the true God and eternal light, living and reigning for ever and ever. Amen.  (BCP, 110)

A Collect for Mission

O God of all the nations of the earth: Remember the multitudes who have been created in your image but have not known the redeeming work of our Savior Jesus Christ; and grant that, by the prayers and labors of your holy Church, they may be brought to know and worship you as you have been revealed in your Son; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP, 257)

Daily Office Gospel, Matthew 14:22-36

22 Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. 25And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. 26But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, ‘It is a ghost!’ And they cried out in fear. 27But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, ‘Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.’ 28Peter answered him, ‘Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.’ 29He said, ‘Come.’ So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. 30But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’  31Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, ‘You of little faith, why did you doubt?’ 32When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God.’

34 When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret. 35After the people of that place recognized him, they sent word throughout the region and brought all who were sick to him, 36and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak; and all who touched it were healed.

Daily Offices in the Book of Common Prayer

Morning Prayer, Rite 2, page 75, The Book of Common Prayer

Noonday Prayer, page 103, Book of Common Prayer

Order of Worship for Evening (Vespers), p 109, Book of Common Prayer

Evening Prayer, Rite 2, page 115, Book of Common Prayer

Compline (Night Prayer), page 127, Book of Common Prayer

Daily Devotionals, page 136, Book of Common Prayer