7-Jan-15

Gospel 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:
Wow! Talk about a whirlwind twenty-four hour experience.
In one day, the disciples climbed a mountain, fed over five thousand people with five loaves of bread and two fish, got caught out in the middle of the sea of Galilee in a small boat in a furious storm and saw Jesus walking along on top of the water in a high wind.
Saint Mark then states, "They were astounded, had not understood and their hearts were hardened."
Could anyone wonder that these guys were frightened and confused? Personally, I'd have been catching the next donkey heading out of the area.
Who among us has not been frightened and confused by things we don't understand? Things much simpler than the miracle of the loaves and fish or seeing someone walking on water.
Recently, a young person who I have been very close to started acting completely out of character. Frightened and confused by his behavior, I became angry and uncertain how to deal with the situation.
I prayed for help and God guided me and gave me some peace of heart through a conversation with my daughter.
As happened with the disciples in the boat, the wind died down."
Jesus did not expect his followers, nor us, to become perfect overnight. He accepts us with all our frailties and doubts.
Lord Jesus, "I believe, help my unbelief." Mark 9:24