Every time I hear this Gospel passage, I think to myself, I have been there! I have been to the Sea of Galilee!

In September 2022, I experienced the dream of a lifetime. I had the opportunity to co-lead a pilgrimage to the Holy Land with a priest friend of mine, Fr. Jake. To walk in the lands and visit the places that illustrate the story of Jesus wastremendous. My whole life, I heard about these places in the Bible: Magdala, Capernaum, Bethany, Nazareth, Bethlehem,the Mount of Olives, the Easter tomb, and many more.

These were no longer names of people and places from sacred stories. These were real places on planet earth. Where the physical and divine being of Jesus walked and ministered. Where people’s lives were transformed through an encounter with Jesus. Where Love itself came to dwell among us and forever changed the course of human history. I hope someday you have the opportunity to go there on pilgrimage and meet Jesus in new ways.

The Sea Galilee is a prominent place in the story of Jesus and his public ministry. Jesus first called two sets of brothers from these shores: Simon and Andrew, John and James. It is also believed to be the location of the miracle of feedingfive thousand people in Tabgha and on one hill overlooking the sea, where Jesus’ most famous sermon took place, the Sermon on the Mount.

Imagine with me for a moment, what it might have felt like to be in the boat with the disciples. The wind is howling like ahungry wolf all around you. The waves get higher and higher, almost completely overtaking the fishing boat. The wind isso strong that it is hard to see clearly. Panic ensues among the disciples and it’s so loud that they can’t hear each other. The screams and pleas for help are barely heard over the wind. They were terrified.

It can be hard sometimes to hear Scripture passages such as this one and think it feels so familiar: O I know how this ends…This is what Jesus is trying to say or teach through this story…

I often have to remind myself that the Living Word of God is new and fresh; that it always has an insight or perspective to reveal and show…if we are open and receptive.

God always wants to speak new words into us and over us.

Hidden in this story, are two phrases that speak to the immediacy of Jesus entering into the fear of his closest friends: at once and immediately.

At once Jesus spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”
At once

Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught Peter…
Immediately

Jesus shows up in the chaos and fear of the moment without hesitancy. With urgent immediacy. Not waiting until the fishing boat capsizes. Not waiting until Peter is drowning.

Jesus shows up. Because Jesus always shows up.

The harrowing situation of being in the middle of a terrible storm on the Sea of Galilee is not unlike the perilous times we currently are living in. Our nation, our world is swallowed up in chaos, violence, and hatred. Human beings, regardless of their orientation or legal status, are labeled and spoken about in the most dehumanizing of terms. The rich continuegetting richer at the expense of the poor.

The earth produces plenty of food to end world hunger and famine exists in far too many countries around the globe while our government cuts food stamps and SNAP benefits for the working poor. Authoritarianism and inflammatorylanguage are lifted up as virtuous ideals when the way of Jesus calls us to radical compassion, mercy, and peace.

You and I both know this list could go on and on.

What does this story mean for each of us who are trying to follow the path of Jesus in 2026? Jesus is not distant from thepain and suffering in our lives, families, and communities. Jesus is there, in the middle of it all. Not with haphazard hesitancy but with urgent immediacy. The suffering of one beloved child of God is the suffering of Jesus.

The Divine Presence of God never flees from the storms of life, but always, always will meet us in the storm. Jesuscomes to rescue us, to be with us, and to remind us that we don’t have to do the hard things in life on our own.

The same words spoken to Peter all those years ago, Jesus says directly to you.
Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid. I am here.
I am with you.

Take courage. Have hope. Jesus is already there.