SERMON BY FATHER JONATHAN E MOORE - LINK HERE
19th Sunday of the Year 2026
“Trusting Jesus, that is All”
Another very familiar Sunday Gospel tells that remarkable story of Jesus walking on water, an event filled with profound meaning for anyone seeking to deepen their faith relationship with Our Blessed Lord. This is not only an astounding miracle but also a lesson about trust, fear, and the abiding presence of Christ amidst the storms of life.
Let’s think a little about the significance of this Gospel narrative, asking what it tells us about discipleship, faith, and our loving Father’s never-ending call to trust Him, no matter what happens.
This event follows hard on the heels of the feeding of the five thousand, Jesus sends the disciples ahead in a boat while He goes up the mountain to pray alone. As night falls, the disciples run into contrary winds causing a heavy swell. Their frail fishing boat has a very low free-board to facilitate nets being pulled in, and the boat is also more than somewhat overloaded. Their very survival is at hazard, and then Jesus appears to them, walking across the turbulent waves, speaking words that have resounded down the centuries, even to this present day: "Take courage! It is I. Do not be afraid."
In reflecting on this story, let us be aware of the interplay between faith and fear. Peter and his companions, already terrified and at their wit's end, now find yet another terror seizing upon them! They see Jesus coming towards them and believe Him to be a ghost. It is only when Jesus identifies Himself that they begin to find reassurance. It is telling that those first words Jesus utters encourage them not to be afraid. Throughout Scripture, God repeatedly invites His people to trust in Him, especially when circumstances appear overwhelmingly against them. “Do not be afraid” – Those four words occur 366 times in the Holy Bible, one for each day of the year, and an extra one for Leap Years!
The ever-impetuous Peter, asks Jesus to command him to walk on the water too. Jesus obliges: "Come” and for a brief instant, Peter steps out in faith and actually walks towards Jesus. Soon, however, he ceases to give Jesus his full attention, distracted by the wind and the waves. His courage fails him and he begins to sink, crying out: "Lord, save me!" Straight away, the Lord reaches out and catches him, uttering a gentle rebuke, "You of little faith, why did you doubt ?”
What are the lessons of this event, two Millennia ago, for our own spiritual journey? I think there are four:
First of all, TRUST THE LORD. We are called to “step out” in faith even when life is at it hardest. “Come,” says Jesus to every one of us. He doesn’t promise a smooth passage, free of life’s storms, but He does assure us: “I am with you”.
Secondly, The mercy of God transcends our Human Weakness. St. Peter’s faith fails him, but he is not cast aside. Jesus responds unhesitatingly to Peter’s cry for help. God, never ever tires of reaching out to us, even when our own faith is faulty.
Thirdly, our need for solitude and private prayer. Saint Matthew emphasises the fact that Jesus spent time alone in prayer. This reminds that time alone with God in prayer is a necessary ingredient of the spiritual life. Drawing closer to God in prayer, one finds clarity, and strength to face life’s storms.
Last but not least, THE CHURCH IS COMMUNITY: like the disciples, we are “all in the same boat”. As the late Bishop James McGuinness was fond of saying, “Before God, we all stand on the same floor.” We are called to share struggles, sadnesses and triumphs collectively. The Second Vatican Council told us that we are “The People of God”, a community, journeying together and supporting one another in faith.
Every one of us must face the turbulent waters of life’s crosses, toils and disappointments — personal and external challenges. We too may feel called to step out in faith, yet find ourselves overwhelmed by fear or uncertainty. Our Gospel reassures us that Jesus is never far away. He hears our cries and is ever ready to extend His hand, lifting us up from our distress.
It is not enough simply to believe in Christ when things are calm, the Christian trusts Him in the worst of the winds and waves. When Peter keeps his eyes fixed on Jesus, he is able to do what seems impossible. It is only when he becomes distracted by the wind and the waves that he falters. This is a reminder to keep our gaze on Christ, especially on the darkest days.
The lesson is clear: Faith does not eliminate the storms, but it gives us the courage to face them, knowing that Jesus walks with us and will never let us go.
This weekend, seek a closer union with Christ, trusting in His loving care, and hearing his voice, “Take courage! It is I. Do not be afraid.”
Let me leave you with one of the very first hymns my Mother taught me:
“Simply trusting
every day,
Trusting through a stormy way;
Even when my faith is small,
Trusting Jesus, that is all.
Trusting as the moments fly,
Trusting as the days go by;
Trusting Him whate’er befall,
Trusting Jesus, that is all.”
My question in this story has always been about Peter asking to come out of the boat. The Lord did not command him to do it, he asked, and got permission. Should we ask to get out of what we are in? Or should we stay and have faith He will bring us through from where we are?
ReplyDeleteGood question Mimi. I shall ask Father Jonathan to respond.
DeleteGod bless.
I have now received a reply from Father Jonathan as follows:
DeleteMany thanks for forwarding Mimi‘s very pertinent question.
I believe that in answering this question we cannot do better than to take on board the words of holy scripture.
Here are three very useful passages:
Matthew 26:39 - “And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”
Jesus gives us a clear example of praying to the Father that we might be spared suffering, and had also accepting the Father’s will, if such it be.
2 Corinthians 2:7 - “Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
Saint Paul also prays to be delivered from his “Thorn in the Flesh”, but after having pleaded in prayer for it to be taken away, he takes God’s “no” for an answer, and resigns himself to God’s Will.
James 5: 13 - “Is any one among you suffering? Let him pray. Is any cheerful? Let him sing praise. 14 Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; 15 and the prayer of faith will save the sick man, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.”
Saint James here encourages us to remain cheerful in hardship, and also to seek for healing through prayer and the Sacrament of the Sick. Note, however that James says that the outcome of prayer and the sacrament will be that the man is “saved”, but not necessarily cured. In the end, the salvation of one’s immortal soul is far more important than a pain-free few years in our frail mortal bodies.
Mimi might be interested in the following poem which I wrote after meditating on my own illness:
Spina Beata (The Blessed Thorn)
He felt it deep within his flesh,
That sharp and stabbing thorn.
It hurt him when he slept each night,
And when he woke each morn.
He begged the Lord God every day
That he might be set free,
But God replied "Put up with it,
And put your trust in me."
That thorn stuck fast, year in, year out,
And would not go away;
"Don't fret," a wise confessor said,
"At least it makes you pray!"
But when his life came to its close,
And he passed through death's door,
He felt, to his profound dismay,
The thorn just as before.
He reached the Gates of Paradise,
But found they were locked fast,
And begged a passing Angel there
To help him to get past.
The Angel said: "I'm sorry,
There's no keyhole on this side."
"Then how can I unlock the door?"
The frantic fellow cried.
The Angel answered:
"You should find you're carrying the key."
The man replied:
"I've nothing but this wretched thorn with me."
"Good," said the Seraph, "you will find
That blessed thorn will do,
Just try it in the lock, my friend,
And you'll come safely through."
To his amazement now he found
The thorn was in his hand,
He put it in the keyhole
And it turned the lock just grand.
The well-oiled gates swung open wide
And safely through he passed.
The Angel said: "And now, dear soul,
You'll understand at last.
Your dearest Saviour, crowned with thorns,
Once died to save the earth,
And now He gives a single thorn
To everyone at birth;
And though it seemed a torment
And a burden you abhorred,
It was the key to Heaven,
Given by our Blessed Lord."
JEM
You might also mention that I’m hoping to publish a collection of my poetry in book form later this year, health permitting.
God bless and keep you both,
In Christ, JM
Thank you so much for your beautiful and detailed answer! You have given me much insight.
Delete