Do We Have Little Faith?

Today's Joke from the Word

 

Do We Have Little Faith?

Word Alive

By FR. BEL R. SAN LUIS, SVD

August 5, 2011, 11:49pm

MANILA, Philippines — The gospel story for this Sunday relates about our Lord walking on water. Somebody joked that He did this because being a poor man, He could not afford the exorbitant fare imposed by the profiteering boat owners!

When Jesus was walking on the Sea of Galilee at about three o'clock at dawn, His disciples thought it was a ghost. 

Peter recognized Him. He asked the Lord to let him walk on the water, too (Mt 14:28). He wanted him to suspend the laws of nature and experience the miracle.

* * *

Peter was very human just like many of us. Like Peter, we want to see signs and miracles. Hence, we take pains to travel to places where miracles are reportedly happening.

There is nothing wrong about extraordinary phenomena. For many, however, faith in God seems to hinge on miracles only.

The story of the prophet Elijah in this Sunday’s first reading is an object lesson.

* * *

When the Lord told him to go to the mountain because he would pass by, Elijah expected a stupendous event with some heavenly fireworks. But God did not appear in a mighty wind, or a great fire, or even in an earthquake.

Instead, to his amazement, Elijah felt the divine presence in a breeze so gentle that it was like a whisper (cf. 1 Kgs. 19:9ff).

* * *

As the writer Jerome Ziliak puts it: "The great miracle of life is not walking on water, but walking on earth with love, peace, and happiness."

The second lesson of the gospel episode concerns faith. 

When Peter felt threatened by the storm and the big waves, his faith faltered. Jesus censured him for his weakness. "Man of little faith, why did you doubt?" (Mt 14:31).

* * *

The big waves and strong winds symbolize the trials and crisis encountered in daily living. Isn't it true that when everything is going well for us, more often than not, we forget God? But just as some big problem arises like a malignant cancer, the sudden death of a family member, or the loss of property from fire, then we get devastated. We turn to God and like Peter, cry out, “Lord save me.”

As long as Peter kept his focus on the Lord, all went well. But as soon as he forgot about Jesus and worried about the wind, he began to sink.

* * *

Finally let’s not forget one important thing. Faith is not fatalism or irresponsibility. It does not mean constant dependence on God for every problem and difficulty which, by the way, is a common attitude among many. Indeed God does help. But we must not forget doing our part.

As the spiritual writer Andrew Costello said: "One reason some of our prayers are unanswered is because we forget the other side of prayer: OUR side." Simply put: “God helps those who help themselves.”