“They tried, in their evil ways, to discredit his every word and move. When one has little faith, one must survive from day to day on signs. As Jesus said, ‘Blessed is he who does not need to see the red of an evening sky to know that tomorrow will be fair.’ ”

“Speaking of faith, I understand that one day, as Jesus was entering Capernaum, a centurion begged him to heal a servant who was sick with palsy. Do you remember what happened?”

Peter nodded. “As if it were yesterday. Jesus said, ‘I will come and heal him,’ but the centurion answered, ‘I am not worthy that you should come under my roof: speak the word only and my servant shall be healed.’ When Jesus heard this he said, ‘Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great a faith in Israel.’ ”

“Jesus used the word ‘faith’?”

“He did.”

“And the servant was cured?”

“Jesus told the centurion, ‘Go thy way; and as you have believed, so be it done unto thee.’ And the servant was cured that very same hour. He lives in Capernaum to this day, should you wish to verify my story.”

I said, “There was a time on the lake when you and the other apostles became terrified by a tempest which tossed waves over your boat. Some of you went to Jesus, who was sleeping, and said, ‘Lord, save us or we perish.’ What did he reply?”

Peter actually blushed. “How is it that you know such things?”

“What did Jesus say when you woke him?” I persisted.

“He was angry at us and asked, ‘Why are you fearful, you of little faith?’ ”

“The word ‘faith’ was used by him again?”

“Yes. Then he stood in the pitching boat and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there came a great calm which frightened us more than the storm, for we wondered what manner of man this was that even the winds and the sea obeyed him.”

“That sea, Peter, as you know, is notorious for its sudden squalls caused by the desert winds that sweep over the mountains near its shore and descend into the middle of the water, pushing waves in all directions. Do not those storms on Galilee usually subside as swiftly as they begin?”

Peter smiled tolerantly. “I have been a fisherman all my life. No summer squall such as you describe would have caused me any concern, for I have survived hundreds of them. But that storm had me convinced that we would all sleep, that night, at the bottom of the sea—until Jesus saved us.”

“There was another occasion, one you have already mentioned, when a woman who had been afflicted with an issue of blood for twelve years came close to Jesus and touched his garment. I understand he turned to her and said, ‘Daughter, be of good comfort, your faith has made you whole.’ He did use that word ‘faith’ again?”