today's other readings are Jeremiah 30 and Psalm 102
I have great admiration for Peter in our gospel. Not because he was filled with fear and began to sink in the water, but the fact that he was willing and courageous enough to step out of the boat in the first place to come to Jesus.
His first step reminds me of the many different ways we too have to take first steps in our lives, being willing to place our faith in God, and possibly in at least one other person.
Let me share two examples. First the call to follow Jesus as a Christian in this time. There are lots of societal forces that will oppose this. But there at times we have to climb out of comfortable "boats" and take a significant step in following Him. Or the example of anyone who is willing to take the step in the Sacrament of Marriage has to have that courageous trust in that other person and also in God. And when challenges come, which they will, do we trust that the hand of the Lord is there offered to us?
When hesitation fills our hearts, there is a cloud of witnesses both in heaven and on earth urging us on, affirming us with the the words of Jesus: "Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid."