Peter Who sees the Strong wind

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : 18th Week : Tuesday*

*Gospel : Mt 14:22-36*

*First Reading :  Nm 12:1-13*

*Peter Who sees the Strong wind*

*1) Jesus Walking on the Water*

The Gospel of the day, clearly explains the event of Jesus walking on the Water 

When Peter realised that it was Jesus who was walking on the water, he was thrilled and at the same time was filled with Joy 

So He also wanted to follow the Master, in walking on the Water 

So, he asked Jesus to whether he also could try. Jesus said *Come*

*2) Peter's Confidence in Starting the Work*

Walking on the water is not a easy thing. Even if some one says come, one may think twice, about it, since there is a possibility of getting drowned in the water 

But Peter had no such doubt. As soon as Jesus said *Come* he simply jumped into the water and began to walk 

This shows the level of trust and confidence of Peter in Jesus 

So he began His journey with a positive note  

*3) Peter shifts His gaze*

As Peter was walking on the water, he was very happy and might have been over thrilled. With this he was moving forward 

Suddenly he shifted His gaze from Jesus to the Strong wind and wave. This wave he considered as a big problem

When he saw the wind as a problem, the problem began to swallow him, and he started to sink in the water

Seeing the issue as a problem, created a trouble for Peter 

*4) Strong wind in our life*

The strong wind happens in the life of Peter, when he was moving towards Jesus 

So journey towards Jesus is not a easy one. Its a challenging one 

We have to face many wind like situations in our life 

The wind of sickness

The wind of loneliness

The wind of weakness

The wind of sacrifice

The wind of crisis 

The wind of misunderstanding

The wind of gossip

The wind of detachment

The wind of greed and selfishness

All these winds are very strong in our life, while moving towards Jesus

*5) Where is my Gaze?*

In our journey towards Jesus our gaze matters a lot 

Our reaction towards the wind  depends on our gaze. 

When we focus our gaze on the strong wind, it becomes a big problem to handle it, and therefore we lose the battle 

When we foucs our gaze on Jesus, these situations are just life opportunities to reach Jesus in a glorious way 

A Peter who reaches Jesus by facing the strong wind is different  from and Peter who got scared by seeing the wind 

Likewise a person who faces evey situation boldly and reaches to Jesus is a different person than who lost in the problems and similar  situations 

*6) Gaze on Jesus and not on the issue*

This is the powerful message which we get from this particular gospel passage

In every situation we need to focus our attention on Jesus. As long as out gaze is on Jesus, nothing can disturb us 

If so, where is my gaze?

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*