Fear Not

Contrast today's Gospel (Mt 14:22-33) to today's, lead stories:  Gaza, Syria, Sudan, our border with Mexico.  Are we not in a tempest?  The apostles fought the storm for 10-12 hours before Jesus came.  Can we imagine the fear and panic even in these seasoned fishermen.  They were alone, without Jesus, and it seemed like the end was inevitable.  Then, even before they cried out, Jesus appeared walking on the water toward them.  So blinded were they by fear that they thought it was a ghost, sending even more chills up their spines.  Jesus admonishes them to "fear not," and beckons Peter to accompany him on the raging waters.  Peter's first impulse is to jump overboard and, indeed, finds himself walking on water; yet when fear seizes him, he begins to plunge into the deep where he will drown.  Here Peter cries out, "Lord, save me."  He is scolded for his lack of faith.
And so with our own tempest today, which is overwhelming, to say the least, where is our faith?  Yes, it will take faith, prayer and deeds to calm the storm, but efforts are being made by the Pope, our Bishops, world leaders and grass roots people who, in the case of the border children, are taking them into their homes.  Our bishops point rightly to the need to address the systemic causes that brought these children to our borders, and the same must be addressed with the other areas of conflict.  Let us bolster these efforts with our prayers. Taking the hand of Jesus, as Peter did, is a sure way to walk safely on the waters again.
Bro. Rene