Lord, Save Me!

Jesus made the disciples get into a boat                                               

and precede him to the other side of the sea,
while he dismissed the crowds.
After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When it was evening he was there alone.
Meanwhile, the boat, already a few miles offshore,
was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it. During the fourth watch of the night,
he came toward them, walking on the sea.
When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified. "It is a ghost," they said, and they cried out in fear.
At once Jesus spoke to them, "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid."Peter said to him in reply, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water."
He said, "Come." Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!"Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" After they got into the boat, the wind died down. Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying, "Truly, you are the Son of God."

Peter was an experienced sailor/fisherman.  There was not much that could happen once he had cast off from shore that would surprise him.  Storm? Well, lower the sail and bail out the boat.  Calm conditions?  Well, let's lower the nets and get to work!  So, nothing much could surprise him except when he saw a man walking across the water towards his boat.  He didn't recognize that it was Jesus and he and his companions did the only thing brave men would do when this situation happens, they panicked!  Jesus calmed them down by telling them not to be afraid.  Peter, seeing that it was the Lord walking on the water decided to take the plunge. (sorry)  He asked the Lord to allow him to walk on the water. Jesus told him to, "Come on in, boy."  Peter did and quite to his surprise he was walking atop the water rather than inspecting the keel of the boat close up. He walked towards Jesus, keeping his eyes focused on Him.  Some spray hit his face, he wiped it off, and then looked around. He realized that he could not do what he was doing and with that, he started to go under. He yelled for help and Jesus raised him up and they were both in the boat and the storm that had imperiled the boat resolved into quiet calmness. 

The obvious lesson here is to keep your eyes on Jesus and you will be safe. The other lesson is to not be afraid to get out of the boat if Jesus calls you.  Whatever Jesus has for you to do, He will give you the tools and power you need to accomplish it.  A third lesson, a bit less obvious, is that the Lord can turn bad conditions into good in the blink of an eye. 

Untold millions of people are in Purgatory today.  They long for the day when they can be brought into the presence of God.  All they can do to help themselves is wait.  We, the living, have the power to shorten stays in Purgatory by our prayers and sacrifices for the Poor Souls.  Won't you prayerfully say the prayer above?  Jesus promised St. Gertrude the Great that a thousand souls would be released every time this prayer was prayerfully said.  Please remember the Poor Souls.  Remember too, as they are today, you someday might be.