By Fr. Frederick Edlefsen

The Gospels at Mass, lately, have been from Matthew 14. Last Sunday, we heard about Jesus boating across the sea to pray after the death of John the Baptist. Upon arrival, crowds awaited him, seeking healings. That evening, the Apostles suggested sending them to town to buy supper. But Jesus said, “Feed them yourselves,” though they only had five loaves and two fish. Then Jesus performed a miracle. He multiplied their meagre portion and fed the crowds, with leftovers to boot.

This Sunday, we hear the sequel. After feeding the crowd, the Apostles are sent home in the boat that evening while Jesus stayed behind to pray. It was a windy and frightful night on the open water. Then, the Apostles saw what they thought was a ghost on the sea. But it was Jesus who said, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” Upon request, Christ bids Peter to walk on the water. Peter did so until he became afraid. He began to sink in fear and begged Jesus to save him. “O you of little faith,” said Jesus, “Why did you doubt?” When Jesus and Peter boarded the boat, all was calm.

These two memoirs of Matthew 14 are a good follow up to the parables of Matthew 13, from which we heard last month. In the parables, Jesus uses images and allegories to explain God’s Kingdom. In Matthew 14, Jesus performs miracles by which people experience God’s Kingdom. Feeding the crowds, without buying food, reveals that Heaven is a whole new order and way of life, different from what we experience now. In this world, we buy supper. But, in the Heaven, the all-Provident Father feeds us in a whole new way. “To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the manna that is hidden in Heaven” (Revelation 2:17).

In today's Gospel, Jesus’ miracle reveals the calm of God's Kingdom that sustains his Catholic Church in its journey through history. In time’s turbulent waters, we are always “walking on water.” When we experience fear, Christ’s words to Peter beckon us: “Do not be afraid; take courage.” The Lord of history resolves everything in himself. “To him who conquers, I will grant to eat from the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of God” (Revelation 2:7).