Tuesday, August 4. Why Did You Doubt?

How many times have you struggled with technology problems?  When we can’t fix a device ourselves, we call the “tech support” number and let the experts tell us what to do.  Many times the “expert” will say, “Turn the computer off and then turn it back on.”  Presto!  What didn’t we think of that in the first place?

Sometimes the simplest solution is the one we think of last.

Today we read another episode of the disciples in a boat (Matthew 14:22-36).  It seems that every time they went for a boat ride a fierce storm arose.

Jesus told the disciples to get into the boat and head to the other side of sea. He went up on the mountain to pray.

Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore, was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it.”

Wouldn’t it be fun to listen in on the “boat” conversation?  “Why didn’t Jesus wait till morning for us to do this; he know that the waves get unruly at night?”  “How come, Peter, every time we take a ride with you, the storms come?”  “Why did we decide to follow Jesus in the first place?”  And so they struggled and worried.

During the fourth watch of the night, (Jesus) 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 cried out in fear.”

Assuming they had left shore in the early evening, they had been on the turbulent lake for over nine hours—the fourth watch was between 3 AM and 6 AM.  Why in the world didn’t Jesus come sooner and spare them all this anxiety?  Why did he let them struggle for so long?  And, to make things worse, he sneaked up on them, like a ghost.  The disciples snapped!  They were already distressed with fighting the wind and the waves, and now they had to deal with a ghost!  And so they started to scream in fear.

At once Jesus spoke to them, ‘Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.’”

The “ghost” was Jesus.  When he showed up, their courage was renewed, and they began to settle down.  All of them, except for Peter.  He wanted “proof” that it was Jesus and so requested the favor of being able to walk out on the water to meet Jesus.

But when (Peter) saw how strong the wind was, he became frightened, and, beginning to sink, he cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’  Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him, and said to him, ‘O you of little faith, why did you doubt?’”

When Peter focused on the wind instead of Jesus, fear again overtook him.  He doubted.

Alone in the boat, the disciples lost their peace. When Jesus showed up, however, things began to settle down.  And when doubt begin to get the best of Peter, he instinctively called out to Jesus.

After they got into the boat the wind died down.”

Jesus in the boat brought a sudden peace.

Why is it that, in the storms of life, we turn to Jesus as a last resort?  Why don’t we think to turn off our computers and reboot them in the first place?  Isn’t Jesus the one we’ve needed all along?  Our struggles and fears are reminders for us to seek out Jesus.

He continues to assure us that he is always with us. Why do we doubt?

You are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel” (John 1:49).

About the Author

Author Bob Garvey lives in Louisville, Kentucky. He has a master’s degree in religious education and has been an active leader in the Catholic charismatic renewal for forty years. After retiring as a high school teacher, he began to write daily commentaries on the Church’s liturgical readings and other topics relevant to Catholic spirituality. He is married to Linda, has three daughters and four grandchildren.

Author Archive Page

7 Comments

  1. Right on Bob! Why didn’t we call on him in the first place. He waits for our call and He always answers. Thank you

  2. Thank you Bob, beautiful reflection. Growing in faith and courage is something I am practicing all the time. Reading your reflection and prayer helps me along the way.
    Faith be with you…….Be of good courage [Psalm 27:14 and 31:24]

  3. Thank you Bob. We humans tend to thrive on fear. Fear has been feed to us for many years. The Red scare, nuclear scare, Muslim scare, the boogie man etc, etc, etc….. Always something to fear except for the “One and the only One” Whom we ought to fear.
    Lord have mercy.

  4. If I had been an apostle, I’m sure I wouldn’t have gone out in a boat again ever after this experience!!! hahaha Jesus, much like God in the Old Testament time and time again ‘tries’ man and the apostles. Most of the time we fell short, over and over again; disappointing God and later Jesus. Can you possibly even IMAGINE just how great their love of humans has to be??? It must be the size of the entire universe itself–maybe larger?? That message is clear to me: fail, fall, do stupid things–but God or Jesus is ALWAYS waiting to help and hoping you will think of them before doing anything rash or sinful. Thanks so much Bob!!

  5. Some thoughts to share:

    Jerusalem was in the final stages of an eighteen-month siege which ended with its destruction by the Babylonians. The situation could not have been more bleak and hopeless, but at this very point God commands Jeremiah to speak regarding the future. God spoke to the people about their sinful condition, and that among men there was no-one to plead their cause. In those days, the Jewish people often trusted in and gave themselves to foreign nations hoping they would protect them. But that never happened. God reminded them that the devastation came upon them from His own hand but He also promised restoration. Their present captivity in Babylon would not last forever. Jerusalem would never remain a dead and deserted city. God would build and restore it again. He promised to bless the people, making them merry and increasing their numbers. From being a reviled nation He would put honour upon them. He promised that they would be brought into close and deep relationship with Him.

    Today is the Feast of St. John Vianney, also known as the Patron of Priests. God bless the priests all over the world and may they be always filled with zeal for Our Lord.

  6. ‘Why is it, in the storms of life, that we turn to Jesus as a last resort?’ In a way, it’s like waiting at a bus stop. The bus you want is always the last to come. Not because it is – there probably will be many more after that – but because those other ones don’t matter. You’ve got your ride. And unlike public transit, our loving God will never pass you by. So whether you are 5 minutes or 50 years into your crisis, ‘be stout-hearted and wait for the Lord.’

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