Gospel in Art: Jesus walks on the water

Testing the Waters, by Daniel Eskridge, 2021, Digital Art © Daniel Eskridge / Turning Art

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 13 August 2023
Matthew 14:22-33

Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side while he would send the crowds away. After sending the crowds away he went up into the hills by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, while the boat, by now far out on the lake, was battling with a heavy sea, for there was a head-wind. In the fourth watch of the night he went towards them, walking on the lake, and when the disciples saw him walking on the lake they were terrified. 'It is a ghost' they said, and cried out in fear. But at once Jesus called out to them, saying, 'Courage! It is I! Do not be afraid.' It was Peter who answered. 'Lord,' he said 'if it is you, tell me to come to you across the water.' 'Come' said Jesus. Then Peter got out of the boat and started walking towards Jesus across the water, but as soon as he felt the force of the wind, he took fright and began to sink. 'Lord! Save me!' he cried. Jesus put out his hand at once and held him. 'Man of little faith,' he said 'why did you doubt?' And as they got into the boat the wind dropped. The men in the boat bowed down before him and said, 'Truly, you are the Son of God.'

Reflection on the digital artwork

At times, just like Peter in our Gospel reading, we may need to step off our solid ground onto something that appears less secure. We sometimes have to move from a very familiar space to the unfamiliar; from the known to the unknown. It certainly would have been safer for Peter to stay in the boat, especially as the sea was rough and storms were raging. But Peter was not adverse to taking a risk to get close to his friend Jesus.

Today's Gospel reading is therefore a calling to look at our relationship with Our Lord and reflect on the ways that the Lord may be calling us to take some new step in our relationship with him. Maybe we are too much sticking to our comforts and routines (which of course are very good to have). But when it comes to our faith, to our relationship with the Lord, we may have to explore the more unfamiliar too. The Lord is always calling us to 'come', and maybe today is a day where we offer ourselves to him in new unfamiliar ways.

Our artwork by Daniel Eskridge depicts a woman in a white nightgown sitting on a large rock on the edge of a secluded forest pool. She dips her toe in the water. She wants to venture something new. She is holding her other leg to her chest. Is the water safe? Too cold to swim? What dangers may lie beneath the dark waters of the woodlands? The woman is in unfamiliar territory, yet is making herself ready to do something she has never done before.

We are all called to take a risk for God!

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/matthew-14-22-33-2023/