Faith and fear: What we can learn from Peter walking on water
By Manny Pacquiao for Archipelago Times
In a world that often feels like a storm, the story of Peter walking on water offers a powerful lesson for every Filipino. It is not just a miracle from the Gospel. It is a mirror of our own daily struggles with faith and fear.
This Sunday, the readings invite us to reflect on what it means to trust. To believe not just in God, but in ourselves. As a nation, we have faced typhoons, economic hardships, and political divisions. Yet time and again, we find the courage to step out of the boat.
What does the story of Peter teach us about faith?
In the Gospel of Matthew, Peter sees Jesus walking on water and asks to join him. Jesus says, “Come.” And Peter does the impossible. He walks on water. But then he notices the wind. He becomes afraid. He begins to sink.
This is our story too. We have moments of bold faith. We start a business. We send a child to school. We run for public office. But when the wind howls, when critics speak, when the money runs low, we falter. We cry out, “Lord, save me.”
And He always reaches out His hand.
How can we help our youth believe in themselves?
Before I entered the seminary, I taught high school. I had a class that was full of dreams but always fell short. They set big goals. They got excited. But when it was time to deliver, they sank.
I talked to their class officers. They told me that in their third year, a teacher had told them every day how dumb they were. How surprising it was that they even reached third year.
That broke my heart. I realized then how important it is to help young people believe in themselves. To see the good in them. To discover their giftedness.
We become what we believe. If we tell our children they are failures, they will believe it. If we tell them they are blessed, they will walk on water.
What is the role of community in building faith?
One of my spiritual mentors, Fr. Frank Reilly, S.J., wrote to me after our seniors’ Holy Week retreat in 1980. He said: “Help the youth of the high school discover Christ in their life.”
Those words have guided me for more than 40 years. They are the building blocks of my life and work. To help people believe in themselves as good. To believe in the goodness of others. To believe in a God who is good and loving.
In our barrios and our cities, in our schools and our homes, this is the work we are all called to do. To be the hand that reaches out. To say, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”
How do we overcome fear in our daily lives?
Faith and fear create a dynamic relationship in our lives. It is a cycle. We succeed. We falter. We rise again. But each time, we move closer to becoming whole and holy.
When you lose focus, remember Peter. He did not just sink. He cried out. And Jesus saved him. Again and again. In the Gospel of John, Jesus asks Peter three times, “Do you love me?” And Peter answers, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.”
That is the key. To keep saying yes. To keep reaching out. To keep believing that life is good. That God is good.
As the song says: “I am with you, ’til the end of your days. Have faith that I hold you even when you let go. And I love you.”
Frequently asked questions
What is the main message of the Gospel reading for this Sunday?
The Gospel of Matthew 14:22-33 teaches us that faith allows us to do the impossible, but fear can make us sink. The key is to keep our eyes on Jesus and cry out to Him when we falter.
How can we apply this lesson to our daily lives in the Philippines?
We can apply it by believing in ourselves and our families, by encouraging our youth, and by trusting that God is with us in every storm, whether it is a typhoon, a financial crisis, or a personal struggle.
What does “we become what we believe” mean in practical terms?
It means that our thoughts shape our actions. If we believe we are capable and blessed, we will act with courage. If we believe we are failures, we will give up. It starts with a choice to trust in God’s goodness.