The gospel reading for this weekend tells the story of Jesus walking on water toward the Apostles, who were gathered together on a boat. The figure of Christ coming toward them terrified them until Christ identified Himself, saying “It is I; do not be afraid.”
Peter then tried to walk on the water toward Christ and did so, until fear overtook him, and he began to sink. Christ saved him, then admonished him for having little faith, asking, “Why did you doubt?”
So often in our lives we are like Peter. Our faith seems so strong that we can do anything, but then something happens, and we falter. Maybe we even begin to sink. We can imagine Christ asking us the same thing: Why did you doubt?
Maybe we’ve lost a close friend or family member. Maybe we’re suffering from an illness. Maybe we’ve lost a job. Maybe we feel scared and lonely. Maybe finances are tight, and we have to work three jobs to make ends meet. A myriad of things can happen to make us doubt that God is listening to our cries for help. But He is always there to take us by the hand and say, as He said to Peter, “It is I; do not be afraid.”
During these times, we must reach out to Him as well. We reach out with our prayers, and we reach out with our actions.
When we feel like we’re sinking, it’s important to look to the words of the saints for inspiration. So, we’ve compiled a list of 10 inspirational quotes that will help you remember that Christ never leaves us. When you feel like Peter, when you feel like you’re drowning, or when you feel like you have lost control, reflect upon these quotes. They will help you remember Christ’s unwavering love and compassion.
So, write them down or print them out. Place them around the house where you’ll see them often. And remember, “If God is for us, who can be against us?”
- Faith is to believe what you do not see. The reward of faith is to see what you believe. – St. Augustine of Hippo
- Our Lord loves you and loves you tenderly; and if He does not let you feel the sweetness of His love, it is to make you more humble and abject in your own eyes. – St. Pio of Pietrelcino
- Anxiety is the greatest evil that can befall a soul except sin. God commands you to pray, but He forbids you to worry. – St. Francis de Sales
- Pray with great confidence, with confidence based upon the goodness and infinite generosity of God and upon the promises of Jesus Christ. God is a spring of living water which flows unceasingly into the hearts of those who pray. – St. Louis de Montfort
- Do not lose heart, even if you should discover that you lack qualities necessary for the work to which you are called. He who called you will not desert you, but the moment you are in need he will stretch out his saving hand. – St. Angela Merici
- He who trusts in himself is lost. He who trusts in God can do all things. – St. Alphonsus Liguori
- I will go peaceably and firmly to the Catholic Church: for if faith is so important to our salvation, I will seek it where true faith first began, seek it among those who received it from God Himself. – St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
- Christians must lean on the Cross of Christ just as travelers lean on a staff when they begin a long journey. They must have the Passion of Christ deeply embedded in their minds and hearts, because only from it can they derive peace, grace, and truth. – St. Anthony of Padua
- In difficult moments, I will fix my gaze upon the silent Heart of Jesus, stretched upon the Cross, and from the exploding flames of His merciful Heart, will flow down upon me power and strength to keep fighting. – St. Faustina
- Pray, hope, and don’t worry. – St. Pio of Pietrelcino
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