He went up into the hills by himself to pray”. Today’s Gospel.

Chatting with a couple the other day, they were saying how lonely it must be to be living alone. Yes, we all need to live in relationship to others, just as Jesus did, but let’s also consider all the times “he went up into the hills by himself to pray”. Life itself is like a dance as we live outwardly and inwardly. Many people cannot cope with living alone and so are dependent on others, continually longing for company.
 
In today’s gospel, the disciples were in the boat and “battling with a heavy sea”, symbolic of the battles in our own lives. Jesus, however, came towards them walking on water. He called Peter out of the boat and to himself. As long as Peter stayed focused on Jesus all was well, but when he took fright he began to sink. We may think that we can do everything ourselves acting from our own egos. However, we are invited to make all our actions Eucharistic – in Communion with Christ, as also we are called along with Peter to walk on the waters of God’s love.
 
“Man of little faith” he said “why do you doubt? We need to trust and surrender over and over – each time that we are “battling with a heavy sea.”. We are all made in the image and likeness of God. As our lives unfold we hopefully increase in this awareness as it happens a little more each day.

“He went up into the hills by himself to pray”! A.S.