The Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost, August 10, 2008

Main
  Who We Are
  Anglican Identity
  Upcoming Events
  Links

Our Worship
  Divine Office
  Services
  WOW
  Homilies

Our Ministries
  Prayer List
  Lay Ministry Rota
  The Servant

San Esteban
  San Esteban

Search:

Genesis 37:1-4,12-28, Romans 10:5-15, Matthew 14:22-33
St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, West Valley City, UT

When I got home last Sunday, my son Matthew was there doing his laundry and watching TV. (The family that launders together, stays together.) The show was a series on shark attacks, victims and survivors. I could not watch it. I have a real fear of the ocean and what lurks beneath those beautiful waves. That has been the case of years. I cannot even sit down through a showing of any of the Jaws movies. So, of course, I could not sit down and watch this show with him. Thankfully, he is easily distracted with the promise of food: dinner is ready.

So, it is with some trepidation I even consider preaching on our Gospel reading today. It would be easier to look at the Genesis story and the mis-adventures of one of the Bible’s truly dysfunctional families: I mean selling your teenage brother into slavery and then lying to your father about it? But we will hear more of Joseph and Co. later on.

But, let’s look at our Gospel reading. The fourth watch is between 3 and 6 a.m. The border time between night and day, a time of mystery, an edge time. The disciples are in a significant storm, rowing against the wind, and they see something totally out of the ordinary: a man walking on the water. This is not probable. This is not predicable. This is scary. Even for professional fishermen like Peter, James and John, this is scary.

Then the familiar voice: Do not be afraid. Fear not. Then the most improbable and unpredictable, Peter says: ...if it is you, command me to come to you on the water. And Jesus says, Come.

The other eleven did not see that coming. And Peter lowers himself over the side of the rocking boat, battered by wind and waves. And he walks! He is walking on the water! He is doing it!

But as happens so often for all of us, we realize suddenly what we are actually doing and it startles us, scares us. And with his fear he begins to sink under the waves. (One of my personal nightmares.) Then Jesus takes him by the hand and helps him up, saves him from drowning.

Several years ago at St. James’ it was my turn to do the Good Friday homily. Instead of a sermon, I gave a first person account of an un-named disciple standing at the empty and bloodied cross remembering his times with Jesus. And he remembered the time with Peter, how funny the eleven found it as they hauled the big, bulky body of Peter out of the water into the boat; Peter sputtering and coughing and soaking wet.

There is much in this story about faith and fear, about trusting God and letting go, about risk taking and failing. I guess we could say Peter failed. He wavered, he feared and doubted and he began to sink under the waves. Then we have those classic words of Jesus: You of little faith, why did you doubt?

Oh you of little faith. Why did you doubt, doubt what is possible, doubt your faith, doubt your God? Oh you of little faith. It sends a chill down my spine.

a have been thinking a lot about this story. First because it makes me so very uncomfortable. Second because of Jesus’ such strong language in saving the life of Peter. Was Peter’s failure of faith that bad?

So, I wonder, was Jesus speaking just to Peter or to the others as well? Hey guys, Peter is out here with me, he got out of the boat, he trusted, he took the risk, he did it. Yes he got distracted by the wind and waves, but he is here with me. Where are you? You are safely on the boat. You did not take the risk of faith. You did not trust in me. Oh you of little faith, why did you doubt?

In order to walk on water the first thing you need do is get out of the boat. Get out of the boat. In order to trust in our Lord the first thing you must do is get out of the boat of your expectations, probabilities, fears and doubts, your safe zone.

We each have our boats, our places of inner safety, away from risks or challenges, away from any possibility of messing up, of being embarrassed, of failing. Perhaps it is time to step outside, over the rail, of our little boats and trust in God. Perhaps it is time to get out of the boat.

In order to walk on water, the first thing you need to do is get out of the boat. I invite you to get out of your boat. Take a walk on the water. Feel it lapping up on your feet. Feel the wind in your face. See the look of love in your Lord’s face as you walk towards him. He cares about you. He loves you. He has faith in you. Get out of the boat.