Guest Post by: David Tonaszuck
A reflection on the Gospel of Matthew 14:22-33
My brothers and sisters, I want to begin today by telling you the story of a man—let’s call him Michael. Michael was a faithful husband to his wife, who had been handicapped for many years. He worked hard throughout his life, building a career in an office, supporting his family with love and quiet strength. But as the years went by, he found himself facing the challenge that so many in our world know too well—he was laid off, not because of his work ethic or his skills, but simply because of his age.
Michael had more degrees than most of us could hope for—multiple Master’s, years of experience, and the sort of reputation that makes people smile when they hear your name. Still, every application, every interview ended the same way: “We’re sorry, but we’re looking for someone else.” Each rejection stung, not just for what it meant for his own future, but for his wife as well.
Yet Michael refused to give up. He decided that if the world would not give him a job, he would make one himself. He studied, he passed test after test, he learned the ins and outs of financial advising, determined to help others navigate the stormy waters of their own lives. But it wasn’t easy. Each day brought a new challenge—one day it was marketing, the next it was finding clients, the next it was another bill he wasn’t sure he could pay. It felt, he later said, as if he was stuck in a tiny boat, far from shore, battered by winds and waves, and never sure if he would make it.
There were times when Michael felt completely alone. His friends could not help. His efforts seemed to disappear into nothing. He wondered if his boat—his life, his hope—might finally sink.
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