In his commentary on this Sunday’s Gospel, Fray Luciano Audisio, OAR, invites us to contemplate the episode of Jesus walking on the water as a profound catechesis on faith. The storm does not disappear by following Christ, but his presence transforms our way of facing it. Keeping our gaze fixed on the Lord is the path to discovering that no difficulty can separate us from his love.
What does the Gospel of Jesus walking on the water mean? Why does Peter begin to sink? Fray Luciano Audisio explains how this passage reveals that faith does not consist in avoiding storms, but in discovering the presence of Christ in the midst of them and learning to keep our gaze fixed on him.
Faith Does Not Eliminate Storms, but Reveals the Presence of God
We have all experienced at some time the sensation of rowing against the wind. There are moments when illness, family difficulties, uncertainties, or the weight of life seem to prevent any progress. It is precisely in that scenario that today’s Gospel begins.
The disciples are in the middle of the lake because Jesus has sent them. And yet, obeying the Lord does not free them from the storm. The Gospel thus breaks a false idea of faith: following Christ does not mean living without difficulties. The disciple also knows dark nights and contrary winds.
While they struggle against the waves, Jesus remains on the mountain praying. He seems absent, but he is not. His prayer manifests his communion with the Father and, from that communion, sustains the journey of his own. We too, when we go through difficult moments, may think that God keeps silent. However, God’s silence never equals abandonment.
Matthew describes the situation of the boat with a very strong verb: he does not simply say that it was shaken by the waves, but that it was “tormented.” The evangelist recognizes that suffering can be a true trial. But it is precisely in that night, during the fourth watch, when Jesus approaches walking on the water. The detail is not accidental. Christ does not eliminate the darkness from outside; he enters it and passes through it. He arrives when strength seems exhausted.
The first reaction of the disciples is not joy, but fear. They mistake him for a ghost. We too often expect God to act according to our schemes and, when he arrives in another way, we do not know how to recognize him.
Then Jesus pronounces the words that constitute the center of the account: “Take courage. I am. Do not be afraid.” That “I am” is not only a way of identifying himself. It is the expression with which God revealed himself to Moses in the burning bush and with which Isaiah proclaimed the presence of the Lord. Matthew wants us to understand that the one who walks on the water is not simply an extraordinary teacher, but God himself who dominates chaos and comes to meet his people.
Keeping Our Gaze Fixed on Christ
At that moment Peter appears. His first reaction is not doubt, but bold faith: “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you.” He does not trust in his own strength, but in the word of Jesus. While he keeps his gaze fixed on Christ, he walks on the water. The problem begins when the Gospel says: “Seeing the wind, he was afraid.” The wind was already there; what changed was the direction of his gaze.
Here we find one of the deepest teachings of the passage. Faith does not consist in living without storms, but in keeping our gaze fixed on Christ in the midst of them. When we let difficulties occupy our entire horizon, we too begin to sink.
However, Peter leaves us a prayer that has accompanied Christians of all times: “Lord, save me!” There are no speeches or explanations, only the trust of one who knows he cannot save himself.
Jesus’ response is immediate. Before saying a word, he extends his hand and sustains him. Only afterward does he ask: “Why did you doubt?” The order is profoundly revealing. Jesus saves first and corrects afterward. He does not wait for perfect faith to help; he strengthens faith precisely by sustaining our weakness.
The Church Navigates with the Certainty That Christ Remains
When both get into the boat, the wind calms. But the true miracle is not the end of the storm, but the confession of the disciples: “Truly you are the Son of God.” The entire account leads to this moment. The storm has served to reveal who Jesus is.
The Christian tradition has always seen in this boat an image of the Church. Today we also navigate among difficulties, uncertainties, and challenges. The Gospel does not promise that contrary winds will disappear. It promises something much greater: that the Lord never leaves his Church alone and always comes to meet it.
Each Eucharist renews this certainty. Christ approaches our boat today and tells us again: “Take courage. I am. Do not be afraid.” Perhaps our difficulties will continue upon leaving this celebration, but we will no longer face them alone. Whoever discovers that the Son of God walks with him understands that no storm can separate him from his love.
Let us ask the Lord for Peter’s grace: the courage to respond to his call, the humility to cry out “Lord, save me!” when our strength is not enough, and the perseverance to always keep our gaze fixed on Christ. Because whoever learns to look at the Lord discovers that the true miracle is not the absence of storms, but the certainty that the Son of God remains with us in the midst of them.
When the Wind Does Not Cease: Discovering God in the Midst of the Storm
In his commentary on this Sunday’s Gospel, Fray Luciano Audisio, OAR, invites us to contemplate the episode of Jesus walking on the water as a profound catechesis on faith. The storm does not disappear by following Christ, but his presence transforms our way of facing it. Keeping our gaze fixed on the Lord is the path to discovering that no difficulty can separate us from his love.
What does the Gospel of Jesus walking on the water mean? Why does Peter begin to sink? Fray Luciano Audisio explains how this passage reveals that faith does not consist in avoiding storms, but in discovering the presence of Christ in the midst of them and learning to keep our gaze fixed on him.
Faith Does Not Eliminate Storms, but Reveals the Presence of God
We have all experienced at some time the sensation of rowing against the wind. There are moments when illness, family difficulties, uncertainties, or the weight of life seem to prevent any progress. It is precisely in that scenario that today’s Gospel begins.
The disciples are in the middle of the lake because Jesus has sent them. And yet, obeying the Lord does not free them from the storm. The Gospel thus breaks a false idea of faith: following Christ does not mean living without difficulties. The disciple also knows dark nights and contrary winds.
While they struggle against the waves, Jesus remains on the mountain praying. He seems absent, but he is not. His prayer manifests his communion with the Father and, from that communion, sustains the journey of his own. We too, when we go through difficult moments, may think that God keeps silent. However, God’s silence never equals abandonment.
Matthew describes the situation of the boat with a very strong verb: he does not simply say that it was shaken by the waves, but that it was “tormented.” The evangelist recognizes that suffering can be a true trial. But it is precisely in that night, during the fourth watch, when Jesus approaches walking on the water. The detail is not accidental. Christ does not eliminate the darkness from outside; he enters it and passes through it. He arrives when strength seems exhausted.
The first reaction of the disciples is not joy, but fear. They mistake him for a ghost. We too often expect God to act according to our schemes and, when he arrives in another way, we do not know how to recognize him.
Then Jesus pronounces the words that constitute the center of the account: “Take courage. I am. Do not be afraid.” That “I am” is not only a way of identifying himself. It is the expression with which God revealed himself to Moses in the burning bush and with which Isaiah proclaimed the presence of the Lord. Matthew wants us to understand that the one who walks on the water is not simply an extraordinary teacher, but God himself who dominates chaos and comes to meet his people.
Keeping Our Gaze Fixed on Christ
At that moment Peter appears. His first reaction is not doubt, but bold faith: “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you.” He does not trust in his own strength, but in the word of Jesus. While he keeps his gaze fixed on Christ, he walks on the water. The problem begins when the Gospel says: “Seeing the wind, he was afraid.” The wind was already there; what changed was the direction of his gaze.
Here we find one of the deepest teachings of the passage. Faith does not consist in living without storms, but in keeping our gaze fixed on Christ in the midst of them. When we let difficulties occupy our entire horizon, we too begin to sink.
However, Peter leaves us a prayer that has accompanied Christians of all times: “Lord, save me!” There are no speeches or explanations, only the trust of one who knows he cannot save himself.
Jesus’ response is immediate. Before saying a word, he extends his hand and sustains him. Only afterward does he ask: “Why did you doubt?” The order is profoundly revealing. Jesus saves first and corrects afterward. He does not wait for perfect faith to help; he strengthens faith precisely by sustaining our weakness.
The Church Navigates with the Certainty That Christ Remains
When both get into the boat, the wind calms. But the true miracle is not the end of the storm, but the confession of the disciples: “Truly you are the Son of God.” The entire account leads to this moment. The storm has served to reveal who Jesus is.
The Christian tradition has always seen in this boat an image of the Church. Today we also navigate among difficulties, uncertainties, and challenges. The Gospel does not promise that contrary winds will disappear. It promises something much greater: that the Lord never leaves his Church alone and always comes to meet it.
Each Eucharist renews this certainty. Christ approaches our boat today and tells us again: “Take courage. I am. Do not be afraid.” Perhaps our difficulties will continue upon leaving this celebration, but we will no longer face them alone. Whoever discovers that the Son of God walks with him understands that no storm can separate him from his love.
Let us ask the Lord for Peter’s grace: the courage to respond to his call, the humility to cry out “Lord, save me!” when our strength is not enough, and the perseverance to always keep our gaze fixed on Christ. Because whoever learns to look at the Lord discovers that the true miracle is not the absence of storms, but the certainty that the Son of God remains with us in the midst of them.
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