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The Gospel Proclamation
Immediately he made his disciples get into a boat and go on ahead to the other side to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. ... he went up on the mountain to pray. When evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land. When he saw that they were straining at the oars against an adverse wind, he came towards them early in the morning, walking on the sea. He intended to pass them by. But when they saw him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost and cried out; for they all saw him and were terrified... But immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I, do not be afraid.” Then he got into the boat with them and the wind ceased. ....
Gaze at Jesus’ Sonship
Why did Jesus “made His disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to Bethsaida”? Evidently the disciples did not want to get into the boat and cross over to the other side and the crowd too was unwilling to leave the place. Jesus had just fed 5000 men (Mark 6:38-44) and they were exited. Jesus realised that they were about to take Him by force and make Him king. His reaction, immediate withdrawal to the mountain by Himself and time with the Father in deep prayer. The danger was really catastrophic as it was against the Will of the Father and even His disciples (as they were) would be directly involved in it. They were really expecting a political leader. The real danger is the risk to confuse the temporal with the eternal: the political with the religious.
Gaze at my sonship
To walk with Christ is for us the conquest of storm. Irrespective of the stormy conditions Jesus came treading the waves. He puts all tumults of life under His feet. This is the simple fact of life - this fact has been proved right by thousands of men and women of all ages - that when Christ is near the storm becomes a calm, the undoable becomes doable, the tumult becomes a peace, the unbearable becomes bearable. We pass the breaking point but do not break. Do we invite Christ when storms loom large in our minds? And in such circumstances do we invite Jesus into our hearts and cling on to His hands? Seek consolation in Him, in His love alone? The first proclamation (1 John 4:11-18) speaks powerfully about love. He, then gives us the “pledge” or “first fruits” of our inheritance: the very life of the Holy Trinity, which is to live as “God (has) loved us.” This love (the “charity” of 1 Corinthians 13) is the source of the new life in Christ, made possible because we have received “power” from the Holy Spirit” (C.C.C. 735).
Prayer Starter
Throughout the day, to love and be loved, to forgive and be forgiven....
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