Sunday, August 13, 2023 Proper 14

Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.” Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” Matthew 14:22-33

"Take heart, it is I. Do not be afraid!" It is so easy to tell someone not to be frightened, it is a whole other thing to cease being scared. We are so easily frightened and lose heart quite easily. When I was about to be married, I was working in a day care for two-year-olds. They loved being read to and had favorite books. One had the refrain, "don't be scared!" which they regularly shouted out when we came to the line. They made me a card, when I was leaving for the wedding, which said, "don't be scared!" All of their handprints were on it. All of life provides challenging and scary moments. Yet Jesus reminds us that in our storms he is with us, in our fears and terror, he is there, and will be there in every frightful and dangerous moment we face.

Wondrous Creator, you filled the wide oceans

with creatures of all sorts and fish to feed us

the seas are beautiful and often dangerous

and we find ourselves caught in the storms.

Lord Jesus, help us to take heart and put our trust in you.

The world is full of violence and destruction

our human folly has put our planet at risk

we fail to change and we fail to trust you

yet you will always walk out to our sinking ships.

Lord Jesus, help us to take heart and put our trust in you.

Give us the trust and love of small children

help us to wrap our arms around you in the storms

shelter us from the thunder and lightening of life

and bring us safely to your safe harbor home.

Lord Jesus, help us to take heart and put our trust in you.

You have made us in your image, frail as we are

and you have made us your family here on earth.

Lord Jesus, help us to take heart and put our trust in you.

You are the source of all goodness we know here

and promise us an eternity of safety and love.

Lord Jesus, help us to take heart and put our trust in you.

Make us strong in our faith and rich in your love

so we might reach out to the lost and the sinking.

Lord Jesus, help us to take heart and put our trust in you. Amen.