You can walk on water
Proper 14, Year A
Last week’s Gospel reading described the feeding of the multitudes from 5 loaves of bread and 2 fishes (Matthew 14:13-21). Because compassion can be contagious, I believe it is possible for us to perform this sort of miracle. Jesus, the disciples, and people in the crowd received and bestowed Divine hospitality. When the disciples set out their 5 loaves and 2 fish for dinner, some people in the crowd took food, while others contributed food for the meal. By the time dinner ended there were more leftovers than the food provided by the disciples. Contagious compassion works miracles.
Today’s Gospel describes another miracle: Jesus walking on water (Matthew 14:22-33). Call me foolish, but I believe this is also a miracle we can perform. This class of miracle relies on a capacity God hardwires into humans. I grew up spending summers in Sag Harbor. Over time, my parents purchased water toys to occupy our time. One was a pair of pontoon like skis that made it possible (if you could keep your balance) to walk on water. Neither those skis nor the far more costly electric wave boards are the way we can perform the type of miracle described in today’s Gospel.
The Book of Genesis says God created humans with the ability to have dominion. In the beginning, God said,
Let us make humans in our image, according to our likeness, and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over the cattle and over all the wild animals of the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth (Genesis 1:26).
Each of us is created in the image of God. Each of us is endowed with the ability to work cooperatively with the natural world and with people. I have seen this. Kathy and Cherie, members of Christ Church, utilize their capacity for dominion. Did you know they care for, adopt, and travel with feral cats each time they drive from New Jersey to Sag Harbor? The process to domesticate feral cats requires patience, commitment, and a willingness to see each animal for who they are, meet them were they are, and slowly encourage them to trust and rely on a being other than themselves. Michel and Janine, also Christ Church members, along with Kathy and Cherie utilize their capacity for dominion over the natural world to heal. They practice reiki and use homeopathic remedies. Working with the energy in the human body or the properties of plants, they heal themselves, loved ones, and others. Kathy performed reiki on me before a church service when she saw that I was suffering with a cold. Her efforts stopped my runny nose and allowed me to get through the service without sneezing. Making use of our God given capacity, we too can partner with nature and people to work miracles!
Peter’s effort to walk on water shows us how to use our God given capacity for dominion. Listen again to the Gospel reading:
Jesus sent the disciples in a boat ahead of him to the next place where they would preach, teach and heal. After Jesus sent the disciples off, he dismissed the 5000 people (not counting the women and children in the crowd) who had been fed. Once everyone was gone, Jesus hiked up a mountain for the retreat (the crowd had delayed him from taking.) Alone, Jesus had the space and time to rest, reflect, and communicate with God. While Jesus was at peace on the mountain, the disciples were harassed by a storm at sea. The boat they were was far from land and battered and tossed by waves. They were rowing against a strong wind that prevented them from getting to shore. When Jesus’ retreat ended the next morning, he came toward them walking on the water. The disciples were terrified when they saw Jesus ambulating on the sea and stepping over waves. Assuming they were deadmen rowing, the disciples cried out in fear, “It is a ghost!” Jesus spoke to them. They heard him say, in spite of the howling wind and crashing waves, “Take heart, it’s me; do not be afraid.”
Petulant Peter replied, “If that’s you, Jesus, command me to come to you on the water.” Jesus, who never turned anyone away said, “Come. Walk with me.” Peter slowly climbed out of the rocking boat. First he put one foot and then the other onto the sea. He started walking toward Jesus on the water. Peter was doing it. He was doing fine until he looked away from Jesus. As soon as he looked away, Peter noticed the strong wind and felt the water between his toes. The terror he felt in the boat and his fear of dying returned. Peter began to sink. He screamed, “Save me!” Jesus, who was no more than an arms length away, reached out, took Peter by the hand, and embraced him, saying, “Why did you doubt? Why did you turn away from me?” Jesus held Peter close, escorted him to the boat, and they climbed in. As soon as they sat down, the wind ceased and the waves calmed. Everyone in the boat worshiped, saying, “Truly you, Jesus, are the Son of God” (Matthew 14:22-33).
Jesus is the Son of God. You and I are children of God. We were created with the ability to have dominion. We are created by a loving Parent who is always watching and listening. A loving God who is ever ready to help, forgive, restore, and partner with us. A God who is only an arm’s length away; never far.
We have the capacity to collaborate with both the natural world and other humans. Like Peter, we can do this by calling on God. Like Peter, we can accomplish miracles by keeping our focus on God. Like Peter, we can navigate crashing waves, rolling seas, and impossible head winds if we lean on the everlasting arms of Jesus.
When we use our God given capacities, our lives reflect the power and peace of God. People around us see us loving, forgiving, partnering, welcoming (as God loves, forgives, partners, and welcomes us) and they are amazed. They say what many of us said about Jon Baer in the final months of his life. I want Jon’s faith, clarity, organizational skills, and confidence. Jon chose to attend church. When his illness made walking to church impossible he called on us. Many of us accepted Jon’s invitation to partner. We drove him to church, doctor’s appointments, the post office, or the IGA. Jon trusted in God and coached himself to trust and rely on others though he preferred to be self reliant. When we use the abilities God grants us, those who see us will say, “how amazingly kind she is, how wildly accepting he is, what an oasis of peace Christ Church members are.” Seeing a believer should provide others a glimpse of God. Sadly, this is not always the case, too many of us are preoccupied by our own goals and projects. We are preoccupied covering up or running from our fears. We have no free time because every waking hour is used to chase our ambitions. We expend energy blaming others for problems or waiting for the people ‘in charge’ to fix problems.
It does not have to be this way. You and I are created in the image of God. We have the capacity to work miracles. God created us to have dominion over the natural world; to partner with others in showing love, compassion, and forgiveness. Jesus called Peter to join him in having dominion over the waves. God is calling you and me to use our God given abilities. If you have not heard God, ask. Ask God to command you. Keep your focus on God. If wind or waves threaten, lean on the everlasting arms of Jesus. Jesus will walk you to safety. God will complete your good works. Roman and Dushy are using their God given talents to organize an Elvis Presley Gospel Mass so bring people to Christ Church; to show people God’s glory. Sharon Prince Yearwood is using her God given skills to organize a women’s retreat; to introduce her friends and colleagues to me and, through me, to God. Beloved in the Lord, get out of the boat. Put your feet in the water. Walk. Walk to Jesus knowing that if you falter, God’s got you.
