Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid

18 NOVEMBER (Mt 14,22-33)

Neither Moses nor Joshua, nor Elijah have ever walked on water; to go from one side to the other divided the Red Sea and arrested the course of the Jordan.

Fifty of the guild prophets followed, and when the two stopped at the Jordan, stood facing them at a distance. Elijah took his mantle, rolled it up and struck the water, which divided, and both crossed over on dry ground. When they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask for whatever I may do for you, before I am taken from you.” Elisha answered, “May I receive a double portion of your spirit.” “You have asked something that is not easy,” he replied. “Still, if you see me taken up from you, your wish will be granted; otherwise not.” As they walked on conversing, a flaming chariot and flaming horses came between them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. When Elisha saw it happen he cried out, “My father! my father! Israel’s chariots and drivers!” But when he could no longer see him, Elisha gripped his own garment and tore it in two. Then he picked up Elijah’s mantle which had fallen from him, and went back and stood at the bank of the Jordan (2Kings 2,7-13).  

In Holy Scripture the miracle of Elisha that makes the iron of an ax float is unique. This man of God does many things, he also heals leprosy, but not even he does walk on water. This is an unknown miracle, never operated.

The guild prophets once said to Elisha: “There is not enough room for us to continue to live here with you. Let us go to the Jordan, where by getting one beam apiece we can build ourselves a place to live.” “Go,” Elisha said. “Please agree to accompany your servants,” one of them requested. “Yes, I will come,” he replied. So he went with them, and when they arrived at the Jordan they began to fell trees. While one of them was felling a tree trunk, the iron axhead slipped into the water. “O master,” he cried out, “it was borrowed!” “Where did it fall?” asked the man of God. When he pointed out the spot, Elisha cut off a stick, threw it into the water, and brought the iron to the surface. “Pick it up,” he said. And the man reached down and grasped it (2Kings 6,1-7).

Jesus shows his great power walking on the water. He is greater than Moses, greater than Elijah and Elisha. He is the Lord of the waters, because he is their Creator. Suffices his command, and they become more resistant than cast iron and steel so that he can rest his feet on them. But Jesus does not even rest his feet on the water. He rests his feet in the air. Rather not even in the air he rests them, because he made his body lighter than water and the very air. This is his power and strength.

Then he made the disciples get into the boat and precede him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When it was evening he was there alone. Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore, was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it. During the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them, walking on the sea. When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified. “It is a ghost,” they said, and they cried out in fear. At once (Jesus) spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” Peter said to him in reply, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw how (strong) the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” After they got into the boat, the wind died down. Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying, “Truly, you are the Son of God.”

Jesus does not teach his disciples like all the other masters of the time. He does not draw the truth of His Father from the books, scrolls, papyri. He draws it from his life. He shows what the Father does through Him, says through Him, teaches through Him. Jesus does not reveal his omnipotence with words, he show it concretely and visibly. The disciples do not listen to his truth, they see it, contemplate it, touch it and experience it. Peter wants to become part of this omnipotence of Jesus and asks to be able to walk on water too. His faith is still too small for him to be able to do so and is about to sink. He cries out to Jesus and is immediately grabbed and put back on the boat. He still is not like Jesus. He wishes he were.

Virgin Mary, Mother of the Redemption, Angels and Saints make us true teachers of the faith.