A Generous Orthodoxy

[kirk yacoub]

We all know of the event in St Matthew's Gospel (14v22-33) in which Christ approaches His disciples who are in a storm-tossed boat, walking towards them on the wind-raged waters. Simon Peter responded to Christ's calming words of "Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid", with "Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water." Christ replies, "Come," and Simon Peter leaves the boat and walks upon the water towards Christ. But when he realises the violence of the wind and the rage of the sea he suddenly becomes afraid and begins to sink and cries out for Christ to save him. "And immediately Jesus stretched forth His hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?"
This event is rich in lessons regarding faith and Christ's protective power. It shows how simple, trusting, uncalculating faith in Christ will lift us above all obstacles, and it shows also how that reverting to human reasoning power can erase faith and lead to calamity. This event forms the background to the fourth couplet of a Syriac prayer:
"You drew Simon from the raging sea,
Draw Your Church, Lord, from schisms and disputes."
It is significant that the previous three couplets all end with:
"Forgive all my sins against You."
These simple words of prayer, based on the Gospel, teach us more than enough about how to live that generous Orthodoxy which is life in Christ.

Kirk Yacoub