January 5, 2011 Gospel Reflection

Mk 6:45-52

After the five thousand had eaten and were satisfied,
Jesus made his disciples get into the boat
and precede him to the other side toward Bethsaida,
while he dismissed the crowd.
And when he had taken leave of them,
he went off to the mountain to pray.
When it was evening,
the boat was far out on the sea and he was alone on shore.
Then he saw that they were tossed about while rowing,
for the wind was against them.
About the fourth watch of the night,
he came toward them walking on the sea.
He meant to pass by them.
But when they saw him walking on the sea,
they thought it was a ghost and cried out.
They had all seen him and were terrified.
But at once he spoke with them,
“Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid!”
He got into the boat with them and the wind died down.
They were completely astounded.
They had not understood the incident of the loaves.
On the contrary, their hearts were hardened.

REFLECTION


For the Jews the sea is a symbol of death. Only the dead as " ghosts" can walk through the waters. That is why when the apostles saw Jesus walking in the water, they suppose him to be a ghost. Jesus told them. "Courage. It is I".  And they were completely astounded. Jesus wanted them to understand that if he can multiply bread to feed five thousand men, surely, he can also walk in water.  If he made that miracle to feed the hungry crowds will he not make another miracle to save them from drowning in the lake? Clearly they have not understood the incident of the loaves.

In many ways we are like these apostles.  The Lord has saved us in the past....maybe from a personal problem, from sickness or from embarrassment. He has intervened in our lives to save us from suffering. But again and again, when we are confronted with a new problem, we doubt if He will help us.  We still doubt if he really cares. We have never advanced in faith. Let us ask Him, as the early Christians used to pray, "Help us never to doubt your love, O Lord."