STATION 6: HOP-E IN THE BOAT

Matthew 14 22Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24but the boat was already a considerable distance[a] from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. 25During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear. 27But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." 28 "Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water." 29 "Come," he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" 31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?" 32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God." 34When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret. 35 And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him 36 and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed.

Context

The winds buffet against the boat that would seek to cross over the storms and divisions created by the economy of our world.

After the long night of little progress, weary disciples become terrified, unable to recognise the Christ who crosses before them.

And yet racked with 'sinking'doubt Peter takes the risk and gets out of the boat!

On courage

"Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore."
Andre Gide (French writer, humanist and moralist, 1947 nobel prize for literature, 1869-1951)

On the Ripple effect
"It is not one man nor a million, but the spirit of liberty that must be preserved. The waves which dash upon the shore are, one by one, broken, but the ocean conquers nevertheless. It overwhelms the Armada, it wears out the rock. In like manner, whatever the struggle of individuals, the great cause will gather strength."
Lord Byron (English Romantic poet and satirist, 1788-1824)

Reflective Exercise

Find a stone along the beach. Attempt to skim the stone upon the water and observe what happens.

Like Peter, the stone may skim for a moment but sinks under its weight.

Observe the ripples the stone creates noticing how the biggest ripples are created by the first impact…

Allow stone skimming to express how you are feeling or to represent a particular prayer.

Consider difficult issues in your life or in the economy of our world in which the waters are stormy and seemingly impassable. Issues that require a giant, or impossible ‘leap of faith’ to overcome.

Take time to feel the weight of the stone in your hand. Use it to help you feel the gravity of the issue for which you pray.

Become aware of the fears and pain that this weight creates within you. Clasp the stone tightly and let these feelings transfer to the stone.

When you are ready throw the stone.

As you observe the ripples consider the ripples of change that even the smallest ‘first step’ of faith on your part may create.

In the face of failure and futility, let Christ catch you in your inadequacy and doubts.

As issues arise during your walk along the waters edge continue to find and skim stones as a means of prayer.