"We are all in the same boat"

''Te waka eke noa'' is a Maori proverb which could be translated as ''We are all in the same boat.'' We all share a common humanity and the joys of our life are often mixed with suffering. We see that in the first reading from Numbers 11:4-15. The Israelites led by Moses should have been happy that they had been freed from the slavery in Egypt but they are weeping as they remember the quantity and variety of food they had in Egypt and the lack of it in the desert and they blame Moses. Matthew sees that the Christian communities of his time are being persecuted and are afraid and losing their faith. To encourage them, in today's alternative gospel (14:22-36), he tells the story of Jesus coming to the disciples when they are in the midst of a storm on the lake. They are so afraid, that they can't believe that it is really Jesus coming to their aid. ''It is a ghost,'' they cry out in fear. Jesus has to convince them. ''Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.'' We too, like Peter, have faith in Jesus, but in moments of suffering, we too can begin to sink in a sea of fear and doubt. Has Jesus abandoned me? Is he really present in my life?. He says to us as he said to the fearful disciples, ''Take heart, it is I. I am here stretching out my hand to lift you up.'' And like those in the boat, with our faith strengthened, we too can worship him saying, ''Truly you are the

Son of God.''