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Gospel: 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.
The Gospel of the Lord.
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Have you ever wondered what Jesus was praying about while the disciples were being tossed about at sea?
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Perhaps that their faith would not fail.
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This was clearly a test.
It is the first time the disciples are without Jesus since his public ministry began. Previously, every moment with him was a consolation; their spirits were filled with awe and wonder.
They witnessed him cast out demons, heal Peter’s mother-in-law, cleanse a leper, multiply five loaves and two fish, forgive people’s sins, and preach to thousands.
All of a sudden, the disciples are without him, stuck in a storm so strong they fear they’re drowning! I’m sure they were on the brink of despair.
Their previous cries for help seemingly went unheard, leaving them feeling like they had to rely upon their own strength and skill to navigate the stormy waters.
Once the disciples reach their wits end, Jesus appears, gets into their boat and calms the storm. Yet, as Mark tells us, “their hearts were hardened.”
Soaked and scared, I’m sure Peter and the others had an unhealthy thought or two about their wonder-worker companion who almost let them drown.
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So, what is it that Jesus was hoping the disciples would learn?
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In spite of the darkness, the hardship, or even the flat our terror, the Lord would never abandon them.
In the words of the prophet Isaiah: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; through rivers, you shall not be swept away. When you walk through fire, you shall not be burned, nor will flames consume you. For I, the LORD, am your God” (Isaiah 43:1-3).
So it is with us.
At times, we can find ourselves up to our neck in stress or in trial, but the Lord continues to intercede for us, that we would stay calm and trust.
Eventually, every storm will be stilled, every tear will be dried. Though the flood waters may reach high, we shall not be overcome.
Learning to be at peace in such circumstances is not easy, but the Lord reminds us today, “Do not be afraid. I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
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Image credits: (1) The Storm at Sea, Rembrandt (2) Christ in Gethsemane, Heinrich Hofmann (3) Medium