THROUGH UNTRUE

Some Gospel passages present St. Peter as a figure worthy of emulation. For instance, when Jesus observed that many of his followers were beginning to distance themselves from Him, He asked those who remained: “Will you also go away?” St. Peter was the first to respond: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have believed and have come to know that you are the Holy One of God” (John 6:67-68).

However, in the gospel reading for today, St. Peter is depicted not as a role model to follow, but rather as a negative example to avoid. When he saw Jesus walking on the water, he expressed his desire to do the same, and for a brief moment, he managed to do so. Yet, when confronted by the strong winds and waves, the fear of drowning overwhelmed him. He began to sink beneath the water’s surface, so he implored Jesus, saying: “Lord, save me!” (Matthew 14:30). Jesus reproached him saying: “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:22-33).

A little faith, like that of St. Peter, not only hinders the realization of our aspirations but also constrains God’s ability to do remarkable feats for us and through us. This was the case with the disciples who could not expel a possessed child (Mark 9:28-29). Jesus told them that if they had faith like a grain of mustard seed, they could have accomplished even what seemed impossible in the beginning (Matthew 17:20).

It must have pained Jesus to utter such an admonition. He had done everything so they would believe in Him. They witnessed his miraculous feats — the multiplication of a few loaves of bread and some fish to feed thousands of people, healing the sick, casting out evil spirits, and even raising the dead. Yet, their faith remained no larger than a mustard seed, which is acknowledged as the tiniest of seeds.

Though we take pride in identifying as Christians, can we claim that we are not men and women “with little faith?”  Undeniably, in our time characterized by swift technological strides and an all-encompassing digital culture, cultivating a robust faith in God has become a formidable task. Each day, an incessant torrent of information and entertainment, laden with the allure of immediate gratification and swift solutions, diverts our focus away from matters of the spirit. Furthermore, contemporary culture places great emphasis on self-reliance, autonomy, and personal empowerment. 

But don't you notice? This fixation on self-sufficiency coincides with the escalating prevalence of psychological ailments, which have elevated “mental health” to a global concern. Perhaps it is high time that focus on something more fundamental to our well-being than just mental health. We have to take seriously the important role of “spirituality” in our life. Regrettably, only a handful of mental health professionals broach this topic.

We are not solely creatures composed of body and soul. At our core, we are spiritual beings, fashioned in the image of God. If we neglect our spiritual needs, we are driven to seek fleeting pleasures as substitutes. They satisfy for a while, but ultimately leave us empty and unfulfilled.

While our culture champions self-sufficiency, we are not as strong and independent as we like to assume. We are actually prone to fear and trembling because, like St. Peter walking on the water, we are constantly buffeted by the winds of challenges, trials, and difficulties. 

Many mental and psychic aberrations are caused by a sense of helplessness caused by our loss of connection with God. Spirituality strengthens that connection, our source of stability and hope, helping us navigate the uncertainties of life and find security in Someone greater than themselves. If you're having that sinking feeling, like St. Peter had, perhaps it is a call to kneel down and humbly pray: “Lord save me!”