WALKING ON THE STORMS AND WATERS OF LIFE WITH JESUS

In very many ways Jesus has shown and continues to show that all powers belong to Him. Before His ascension into heaven, He declared: “All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me…” (Mt. 28:18) And throughout His earthly ministry, He proved this authority by: raising Lazarus from death; casting out evil spirits from their victims; healing the sick, and even providing material needs to the needy as we saw Him do last Sunday when He fed the five thousand.

Today’s gospel gives us yet another sign of Jesus’ authority. We see Him again walking on the troubled water towards His disciples who were battling with the storms and sea waves. Many Jews associated chaotic waters with demonic forces. So, Jesus’ walking on the troubled waters is seen as trampling underfoot the powers that inhabit the waters, a proof of His might over the powers of evil and nature.

Naturally, the Apostles took fright when they saw Jesus' walking on the sea, thinking He was a ghost. But Jesus calmed their fears as He called out: “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” In other words, “You don’t have to be afraid when I am here. My presence should dispel your fears.”

The presence of Jesus actually helped Peter to conquer his fears. As long as Peter kept his eyes on Jesus, he walked on the very storm that once threatened him. But the moment he looked away from Jesus, fear returned and he began to sink, but Jesus stretched out His hand and saved him. Indeed, all powers belong to Jesus, and as long as our eyes are on Him, we have the courage and strength to bear through every storm.

This is the story of many Christians. Like Peter, we begin our Christian journey with joyful courage, and with eyes and faith on Jesus. But when life’s storms rise marital struggles, infertility, financial hardship, sickness or any deep personal pain, we become disoriented as our gaze shifts from Christ to the storms, and fear overwhelms us. Just then, some of us begin to sink into bad habits, and into the waters of different temptations we once trampled underfoot with faith.

When fear takes over, people often drift into choices they never imagined: unhealthy habits, destructive relationships, addiction or spiritual confusion. Jesus does not judge us yet, He is still with us, ready to help us stand again. We only need Peter to call on Him to help.

Both Peter in the gospel, and Elijah in the first reading, lost faith when overwhelmed by fear. At the threat of Jezebel, Elijah fled for fear. He ended his flight on God’s Mountain – Horeb. God met him, strengthened him and led him on again. Elija and Peter in the readings today remind us that fear is powerful, but God’s mercy is stronger.

The words of Jesus remain true for us every day: “Without me, you can do nothing.” (Jn. 15:5) With Jesus we can face any storm. And if we ever find ourselves sinking into any sinful habit, weakness or vices of any kind, may we never hesitate to call out to Jesus like Peter did: “Lord, save me!” He will always extend His saving hand towards us. We truly need Jesus!

As the winds of sin and temptations blows even stronger in our world today, Jesus comes even nearer still, whispering: “Take courage. I am here.” May we find courage in His presence. And may He help us maintain our eyes on Him and thus keep us from drowning in fear or in our own sins - Amen!

Fr. Paul Onyebuchi

Homily for August 9, 2026

​​​

CATHOLIC SERVICES APPEAL 2026

​

For online giving, please click or tap 

https://www.aod.org/csa-2026

​​Or scan the QR code​​

​