Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid!”

Gospel Reading: Mark 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.

Are your eyes opened to the miracles of Christ? Are you blinded by the world where you cannot see Christ in your life? In today’s Gospel reading, we hear the story of the Jesus walking on water and calming the sea. Jesus demonstrates his power over our earthly fears. He just got through multiplying the loaves and fishes and he sends the apostles to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. It is night time and a storm is brewing. The wind is blowing and the sea has become very turbulent. The reading indicates that Jesus is looking over the apostles from a distance as they make their journey across the sea. The apostles begin to fear for their lives when out of the darkness Jesus appears walking on the sea. “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.” Jesus calmed the apostles and said, “Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid!” He then joined them in the boat and calmed the sea. Jesus had just preformed the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes and the apostles did not understand who he was. The gospel reading says, “And They were completely astounded. They had not understood the incident of the loaves. On the contrary, their hearts were hardened.” They did not yet know or believe that Jesus was the Messiah, our Lord and savior. They had not yet opened their eyes of faith to Christ.

How many times do we fall into the same boat as the apostles? How many times have we set out on a journey only to find the water turbulent and the wind fighting us? How many times has Jesus seemed distant and removed from us? The reading says that not only did they fear the storm, but they thought that Jesus was a ghost coming to get them. Instead, they needed to learn to put their trust in God for it is through him the winds and the sea are calmed. While we might not be able to see Christ, he is their watching over us. When your life becomes a sea of troubles and you feel like the wind is going to blow you away, you have two choices; you can cower in fear or you can reach out for God’s help. Our faith in God is the calming factor which subdues the storm. We must be willing to let go of the fears and trust in God. He wants to help us. His loving arms are always reaching out to comfort us and protect us. He is our Father.

A Simple Prayer

Abba, Father, I fear the storm and the wind.

Comfort me and protect me from the turmoil of my life.

Watch over me and guide me to safe harbor.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon