Walking on water

After Jesus had multiplied the loaves and the fishes at Capernaum, the apostles were caught up in the glow of all his acclaim. It was wonderful for the apostles to see our Lord acclaimed as king and as prophet. Because the apostles were caught up in this enthusiasm, the Lord says, get over to the other side of the lake. He didn't want them to be spoiled. They start rowing across the lake, and our Lord goes up the mountaintop. The night passes, there's a storm, with fog and rain. It was three o'clock in the morning, and the apostles were rowing against the wind and were frightened. The Lord watched them all the time. Finally, he came toward them, walking on the water. They did not recognize him.    They thought he was a specter, a ghost. And Mark tells us the reason: they did not understand the miracle of the loaves. They did not understand this unseen presence of Christ in the bread of life. And in their fear our Blessed Lord assured them, 'Fear not, it is I.' Here comes the impulsiveness of a great man, a fool. 'Lord, let me walk on the waters.' What stupidity--walk on water. Can you imagine what must have gone on in that boat when Peter lifted up his right foot to put it on the water?    Thomas must have said to Him, 'You believe anything, don't you Peter?' But he walked, he really walked on the water. Because the Lord said, 'Come, come.' Believe the incredible, and you can do the impossible. It is our want of faith that holds us back, even as Peter. Why did he begin to sink? The gospel gives us the reason. He took account of the winds, he began reading some surveys; it was established statistically that 99.44 percent of mankind cannot walk on water. All of the incredulities were in the winds. When he took his eyes off Christ, Peter began to sink.