Reflect today on any way in which you have had great intentions to trust in Jesus

Peter answered him in response: "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." He said, "Come." Matthew 14: 28-29a

What a wonderful expression of faith! Saint Peter, captured in stormy conditions on the sea, expressed his complete confidence that if Jesus called him out of the boat to walk on the water, it would happen. Jesus calls him to himself and St. Peter begins to walk on the water. Of course we know what happened next. Peter was filled with fear and began to sink. Fortunately, Jesus took him and everything went well.

Interestingly, this story reveals a lot to us about our life of faith and much more about the goodness of Jesus. So often we start with a faith in our head and have every intention of living that faith. Like Peter, we often firmly decide to trust Jesus and "walk on water" at his command. However, too often we experience the same thing that Peter did. We begin to live the trust we express in Jesus, only to suddenly hesitate and give in to fear in the midst of our difficulties. We begin to sink and we need to ask for help.

In a way, the ideal would have been if Peter expressed his faith in Jesus and then approached him without wavering. But, in other ways, this is the ideal story as it reveals the depth of Jesus' mercy and compassion. It reveals that Jesus will take us and pull us out of our doubts and fears when our faith gives way. This story is much more about Jesus' compassion and the extent of His help than Peter's lack of faith.

Reflect today on any way you had great intentions to trust in Jesus, you started on this path and then you fell. Know that Jesus is full of compassion and will join you in your weakness just as he did with Peter. Let him grab your hand and strengthen your lack of faith with his abundance of love and mercy.

Sir, I believe. Help me when I hesitate. Help me always reach out to you when life's storms and challenges seem to be too much. May I trust that, in those moments more than any other, you are there to reach your hand of grace. Jesus I believe in you