Homeschooling and
Matthew 14: 13-33

"During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the sea. When the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear.

But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."

"Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water."

In my own life, especially by March and April, after a long dreary winter, which hasn't ended, after months of plodding through school work, with seemingly little success, I often feel like I am out on the Sea of Galilee, in the late watch of the night, straining my eyes, looking for the Lord. From my boat, I call out to Him: "Lord is this really Your will for me and my family? If it is, tell me to come to you on the water."

"Come," he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"

So, I continue my homeschooling and family raising. I step out in faith, because, really who can do all these things, every day, and do them well? So much is in my hands! So, I step out onto the water, but I must keep my eyes trained on Him - not on the turbulent waters, otherwise, I will sink.

Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"

If everyday, every homeschooling day, I put the Lord first in my life, when I finish with this gift of homeschooling (which I gladly give to my children) my children and I will all say, in that future time, when the wind dies down, and we are in our boats sailing in the direction the Lord will set us:

And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."

How do we find ourselves even in the boat, wondering if this is the Lord's Will for us? If we look to the Gospel, the scenes before the walking on the water, will speak to us as well. Just before the miracle of walking on the water, Jesus was brought news of the death of the John the Baptist, the greatest man born of woman, His precursor, His own cousin. This news greatly grieved our good and compassionate Lord.

When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place.

The Lord was grieving in His tender heart, the death of his beloved. He was suffering. He was out alone, praying.

Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns.

Those who have chosen homeschooling, are those who seek the Lord when He is alone, when He is suffering. We look for Him even though He did not come showing His majesty in all its splendor. We come looking for Him as the 'Suffering Servant.'

When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.

We know His compassion. We already know what He has done for us. He has healed us in our sick souls.

When it was evening, the disciples approached him and said, 'This is a deserted place and it is already late; dismiss the crowds so that they an go to the villages and buy food for themselves.' Jesus said to them, 'There is no need for them to go away; give them some food yourselves."We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish," they answered.

"Bring them here to me," he said. And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.

The crowds who went looking for the Lord, searching for the Suffering One were satisfied. They were satisfied by having their sick healed and then they were further satisfied in the Heavenly Food that Jesus gives to them. When the storm is upon us, if we can just continue on, a little at a time, we can rest assured that the Lord will take care of our homeschools.

"You open wide your hand,
grant the desires of all who live."
Psalm 145

Homeschooling is challenging and demanding. It is sacrificial. But, we are not doing this alone. We need to have faith. The faith of the Blessed Virgin Mary:

"Father Suarez says, that the most holy Virgin had more faith than all men and angels. She saw her Son in the crib of Bethlehem, and believed him the creator of the world. She saw Him fly from Herod, and yet believed Him the King of kings. She saw Him born and believed Him eternal. She saw Him poor and in need of food, and believed Him the Lord of the universe. She saw Him lying on straw, and believed him omnipotent. She observed that He did not speak, and she believed him infinite wisdom. She heard Him weep, and believed Him the joy of Paradise. In fine, she saw him in death,, despised and crucified, and, although, faith wavered in others, Mary remained firm in the believe that He was God.”
St. Alphonsus di Liguori, The Glories of Mary, 481.