Emphasis Preaching Journal

Saint Augustine claims that this text is a lesson in humility. In our journeys we are all exposed to waves and tempests, but like the disciples we need to be in the boat. Its wood is the wood in which our weakness is carried -- the Cross. He also identifies the ship in which Jesus and his disciples sailed with the church (Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, First Series, Vol. 6, p. 337). Augustine also found meaning in Peter's efforts to walk on water. The episode exemplifies our attempt to rely on our own strength he claimed (Ibid., p. 341).