God Is Speaking But Are You Listening?

Walking on water just might be possible.

Did Jesus really walk on water? I don’t know and the fact is, you don’t know for certain either. You may believe He did but that belief is based upon faith, not facts. Maybe you believe the stories of the Bible are metaphorical, meant to help us steer clear of a self induced hell which we have a propensity to create in our lives. It doesn’t matter to me what you believe. I’m just over here trying to make sure I behave as if God exists and listening for Him to speak to me. When I’m willing to listen, there is no doubt in my mind He’s speaking.

On my last day in Florence, I attended Mass at the Duomo one last time (for the record, I went to church more in the two weeks I was in Italy than the entire year prior at home.) There is something about the beauty of the buildings there - evidence humans are capable of indescribable accomplishments when divinely inspired - that brings me so much joy and peace. This particular service was spoken in Italian, on the side alter of the main church. More of a service for locals, not the Latin Mass with Gregorian chants I had been attending the previous two Sundays. Unlike the Latin Mass, there wasn’t a program for guests to read along in English. And while my Italian is coming along nicely, I couldn’t understand a single word being spoken. I tried hard to pick up key words or phrases to give myself a clue as to the Gospel reading but no luck. I was disappointed to be left without a clear message to contemplate but happy to be in the presence of peace and serenity none the less. After giving a final blessing at the conclusion of Mass, the smiley, round-faced elderly priest said in clear English, “To those of you who understand English, our Gospel today describes Jesus walking on water and encouraging Peter to do the same. This story is unique to the Book of Matthew.” He went on to summarize his homily by describing how Peter was afraid to walk on water, a feat that seemed understandably impossible, but with encouragement from Jesus he was able to do the impossible. He explained how Jesus instructed Peter to trust in Him and in doing so, even the most difficult of tasks can be accomplished. The priest went on with his kind and jovial demeanor, “This is what we need to remember in our lives today. No matter how insurmountable or overwhelming a task in our own life appears, when we trust in God, he will not let us drown.”