https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/080920.cfm
I quote:
At once Jesus spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”
end quote
Today's Gospel addresses doubt per the response of Simon Peter when faced with a storm on Lake Galilee that he perceived would overwhelm his capacity to survive. Scripture demonstrates time, after time Simon Peter's lack of faith in The Christ even denying knowing Him when faced with the prospect of suffering the same fate.
Simon Peter cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught Peter,and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
Simon Peter is acknowledged here as everyman the personification of the human being facing our fears with thoughts of catastrophe revealing our doubts; our trust in The Christ evaporating under trial. Our Saviour's support for each of us when struggling should never be doubted, for He knows when we are close to surrendering to our fears, intervening to extricate us from our easy choice to stop believing in His presence at our side by guiding us out of our sense of foreboding that all is lost.
There will be moments, episodes in the life of every human person when grappling with what appears to be impossible odds we reach a point when we wish to throw in the towel to accept defeat, or what appears to be the end of our struggle. In reality those who have accepted their fate as they determine their perceived impossible circumstances, learn that today's apparent surrender to their fear of failing is preparation for tomorrow's challenges better handled with the experience accumulated today.
Wise sages over the centuries advise us that our opportunities to serve the common good are presented to us disguised in the form of misfortune, or transitional frustration not lost on those who learn that perceptions of failure are merely life's invitation to keep on confronting those challenges daily sent to us to strengthen our resolve under duress.
knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. ~ James 1:3
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