Reaching Out

The Gospel for today (Matthew 14: 22–33) places us in the middle of a storm. The disciples are battered by the wind, fearful for their lives, when Christ comes towards them across the water. His first words are not a rebuke but a promise: ‘Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.’

Those words have felt especially poignant these last few weeks as we have held in our prayers the victims of the attack at Berlin’s Christopher Street Day Pride celebrations, where one person was killed and many others injured in an act of terror directed at a gathering that sought to celebrate human dignity, freedom and community. As someone who identifies as LGBTQI, I can remember, a few years ago, preparing for a Pride march in Brighton which was delayed by well over an hour due to a suspect package found enroute. The fear was palpable.

Violence rooted in hatred seeks to divide neighbour from neighbour and to persuade us that fear has the final word. The Gospel offers another way; Christ reaches out his hand to Peter and does not let him go. So too are we called to reach out to be with one another, refusing to allow hatred to define our common life.

As Christians, we are called to stand alongside all those who are vulnerable to prejudice and violence, affirming the God-given dignity of every person. We reject hatred in all its forms and pray that our words and actions may witness to the reconciling love of Christ.

One of my favourite prayers after communion, which I recall quoting from over thirty years ago at my selection conference towards ordination speaks of the hope that we have in Christ, a hope to be discovered and shared in the encounter with another, bringing life and love, irrespective
of our differences.

…May we who share Christ’s body live his risen life; we who drink his cup bring life to others; we whom the Spirit lights give light to the world.

Keep us firm in the hope you have set before us, so we and all your children shall be free, and the whole earth live to praise your name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Revd Andrew Woodward