Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid

 

 Now when evening came, the boat was in the middle of the sea; and He was alone on the land.  Then He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them.  Now about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea, and would have passed them by.  And when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed it was a ghost, and cried out; for they all saw Him and were troubled.  But immediately He talked with them and said to them, "Be of good cheer!  It is I; do not be afraid."  Then He went up into the boat to them, and the wind ceased.  And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marveled.  For they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened.  

 

When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret and anchored there.  And when they came out of the boat, immediately the people recognized Him, ran through that whole surrounding region, and began to carry about on beds those who were sick  to wherever they heard He was.  Wherever He entered, into villages, cities, or the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged Him that they might just touch the hem of His garment.  And as many as touched Him were made well.

 

- Mark 6:47-56 

 

Yesterday we read that, upon returning from their first mission, the apostles gathered to Jesus and told him all things, both what they had done and what they had taught.  And He said to them, "Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while."  For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.  So they departed to a deserted place in the boat by themselves.  But the multitudes saw them departing, and many knew Him and ran there on foot from all the cities.  They arrived before them and came together to Him.  And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd.  So He began to teach them many things. When the day was now far spent, His disciples came to Him and said, "This is a deserted place, and already the hour is late.  Send them away, that they may go into the surrounding country and villages and buy themselves bread; for they have nothing to eat."  But He answered and said to them, "You give them something to eat."  And they said to Him, "Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give them something to eat?"  But He said to them, "How many loaves do you have?  Go and see."  And when they found out they said, "Five, and two fish."  Then He commanded them to make them all sit down in groups on the green grass.  So they sat down in ranks, in hundreds and in fifties.  And when He had taken the five loaves and the two fish, He looked up to heaven, blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to His disciples to set before them; and the two fish He divided among them all.  So they all ate and were filled.  And they took up twelve baskets full of fragments and of the fish.  Now those who had eaten the loaves were about five thousand men.  Immediately He made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while He sent the multitude away.  And when He had sent them away, He departed to the mountain to pray.

 

  Now when evening came, the boat was in the middle of the sea; and He was alone on the land.  Then He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them.  Now about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea, and would have passed them by.  And when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed it was a ghost, and cried out; for they all saw Him and were troubled.  But immediately He talked with them and said to them, "Be of good cheer!  It is I; do not be afraid."  Then He went up into the boat to them, and the wind ceased.  And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marveled.    My study Bible comments that this is the second time Christ permits His disciples to be caught in a storm (see this reading).  The first time He was with them; here He had left them alone.  In this way, my study Bible says, Christ strengthens their faith that He will always be with them in the midst of the storms of life.  It is I is literally translated to "I Am" (in the Greek of the Septuagint and the New Testament Εγω ειμι/Ego eimi).  This is the divine Name of God (Exodus 3:14; John 8:58).  In this way. He reminds the fearful disciples of His absolute and divine authority over their lives.  

 

 For they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened.  The loaves refers to the feeding in the wilderness, as reported in yesterday's reading (see above).  My study Bible comments on this verse that knowing Christ is a matter of the heart, not merely the intellect.  When our hearts are illumined by faith in God, it says, they are open to receive God's presence and grace.  In the ascetic writings of the Church, the heart is known as "the seat of knowledge."

 

 When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret and anchored there.  And when they came out of the boat, immediately the people recognized Him, ran through that whole surrounding region, and began to carry about on beds those who were sick  to wherever they heard He was.  Wherever He entered, into villages, cities, or the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged Him that they might just touch the hem of His garment.  And as many as touched Him were made well.   Here Jesus and the disciples return back across the Sea of Galilee again, to an area near their "home base" of Capernaum, known for its abundance of fishing and agriculture.  (Gennesaret means "Garden of the Prince.") Thus, the people recognized Him.  My study Bible notes that Christ permits miracles through touch to show that His very body is life-giving.  See also Mark 5:25-29.

 

 It's interesting that Jesus and the disciples go to a place called Gennesaret, which means "Garden of the Prince" (or possibly "Princely Gardens").  As mentioned above, this area on the Sea of Galilee was well-known for its exceptional fertility in both fishing and agriculture.  Such great abundance seems present in the action of the people in receiving Jesus.  We're told that they ran through that whole surrounding region, even carrying on beds those who were sick to wherever they heard He was.  This is not Nazareth, Jesus' hometown, in which He was rejected such that even He marveled, and could do no "mighty works" because of their unbelief (see Tuesday's reading).  This is not the country of the Gadarenes, where the people beg Jesus to leave, so frightened are they at the healing of a man with a legion of demons, while their herd of swine perished running to their deaths (see Saturday's reading).  Here in this fertile "garden of the Prince" the entire region produces a tremendous harvest of faith.  Wherever He entered, into villages, cities, or the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged Him that they might just touch the hem of His garment.  And as many as touched Him were made well.  That "as many as touched Him were made well" is a sign that faith was strong and prevalent, because it is faith that allows Jesus to heal, that enables His power to work in human beings.  It's interesting that the Gospels unveil small secrets to us like this one hidden in the meaning of the word that is the title of this region on the Sea of Galilee.  Nothing seems to be included by accident, and, once again, like the mustard seed, the tiniest detail tells us a great part of a story.  We can contrast this response in Gennesaret with the fear of the apostles while they were on the water and in the midst of the storm.  Once again, let us remember that at least four of these men (which included those who would become leaders among them) were fishermen by trade, who grew up operating on the Sea of Galilee.  But at the fourth watch of the night (that is, approximately 3:00 AM), with the wind against them, and having a vision of Jesus walking on the water, all kinds of things may happen.  It is just the time and circumstance when our fears might be most exacerbated.  In the chaos of a storm and the darkness of the tumultuous waters raised by the wind against them, fears are going to be heightened to the extent that even Christ coming to us may seem like a frightening sight.  Jesus tells them, "Be of good cheer!  It is I; do not be afraid."  "Be of good cheer" is the translation of a word that means to take heart, to be brave, to have courage.  For this is what Christ's presence radiates to us, and His strength that is necessary for us.  Clearly St. Mark, the author of the Gospel, wants to emphasize the disciples own lack of faith at work here, for he tells us they were "hard-hearted."  That is, they had not opened their hearts to the understanding of the miracle of the loaves and fishes.  Somehow the hardened heart is involved in both lacking courage and the failure of faith.  So let us take confidence in Him when we have fears, and faith that we might produce abundance of spiritual fruit; for this is the promise of the Prince, our Lord.

 

 

 

 

 

Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water

 

 Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away.  And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray.  Now when evening came, He was alone there.  But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.  Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea.  And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, "It is a ghost!"  And they cried out for fear.  But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Be of good cheer!  It is I; do not be afraid."  And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water."  So He said, "Come."  And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.  But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!"  And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"  And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.  Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, "Truly You are the Son of God."

When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret.  And when the men of that place recognized Him, they sent out into all that surrounding region, brought to Him all who were sick, and begged Him that they might only touch the hem of His garment.  And as many as touched it were made perfectly well.

 

- Matthew 14:22–36 

 

Yesterday we read that when Jesus heard that King Herod feared Him, He departed from by boat to a deserted place by Himself.  But when the multitudes heard it, they followed Him on foot from the cities.  And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.  When it was evening, His disciples came to Him, saying, "This is a deserted place, and the hour is already late.  Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages and buy themselves food."  But Jesus said to them, "They do not need to go away.  You give them something to eat."  And they said to Him, "We have here only five loaves and two fish."  He said, "Bring them here to Me."  Then He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass.  And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitudes.  So they all ate and were filled, and they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments that remained.  Now those who had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

 

  Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away.  And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray.  We recall that Jesus' plan was to seek to withdraw from the scrutiny of Herod Antipas, for as Herod began to hear of Jesus, he feared that Jesus was John the Baptist returned from the dead, and that this was the explanation for Christ's miraculous works.  Here, after feeding the multitude, He once again withdraws for solitude to pray.

Now when evening came, He was alone there.  But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.  Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea.  And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, "It is a ghost!"  And they cried out for fear.  But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Be of good cheer!  It is I; do not be afraid."  My study Bible comments that only God has dominion over nature; therefore, this miracle is a confirmation of the divinity of Christ.  It is now the second time that Jesus has permitted His disciples to be caught in a storm (see also Matthew 8:23-27).  The first time, He was with them.  But here he had left them alone.  In this way, my study Bible explains, Christ strengthens their faith that He will always be with them in the midst of the storms of life.   It is I is literally translated "I Am," which is the divine Name of God (see Exodus 3:14; John 8:58).  My study Bible adds that Christ reminds the fearful disciples of His absolute and divine authority over their lives.  

And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water."  So He said, "Come."  And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.  But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!"   My study Bible says that Peter's faith allows him to walk on the water.  It asks us to note that Peter does not ask to walk on water per se, but rather to come to Jesus.  Peter's desire is not to perform miracles but to be with Christ.  Peter is able to participate in this divine miracle as long as he keeps his focus on Christ.  When he becomes distracted, he begins to sink.

 

 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"  My study Bible explains that the Greek term for doubt used here means "wavering" or "hesitation."  Peter's sinking was due not to the storm but rather his doubt; so Christ does not rebuke the wind -- but rebukes Peter.

And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.  Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, "Truly You are the Son of God."  This response bears some resemblance to the words of the centurion who stood at the Cross and witnessed Christ's Passion (Matthew 27:54; Mark 15:39).  My study Bible comments that this is the first time the disciples confess that Jesus is the Son of God.  As they know that only God can be worshiped, they confess His divinity by worshiping Him.  Here, the boat is symbolic of the Church.  

When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret.  And when the men of that place recognized Him, they sent out into all that surrounding region, brought to Him all who were sick, and begged Him that they might only touch the hem of His garment.  And as many as touched it were made perfectly well.  Again, the miracles of healing are prominent in Christ's ministry.  My study Bible comments that Christ permits miracles through touch to show that His very body is life, and that contact with His flesh is life-creating (see Matthew 9:20-22).  

Stories of the miraculous give us a particular feel in Scripture, a sense of something extraordinarily present that grips our imagination and asks it to go beyond our everyday boundaries and expectations.  There are many who read Scripture and automatically discount the miracles they encounter there.  But Scripture is a kind of literature that asks us to read what it contains with a perspective that everything in it is necessary for us to grasp something, to receive what there is to give.  I also cannot immediately dismiss all possibility of the miraculous, if only because what might be considered miraculous seems to happen and surprise people all the time.  This is particularly true of things that seem to be coincidental, or dreams that give us a hint of things that are happening elsewhere, a sense that pervades prayer, an intuition that supplies an answer we'd been grasping for but couldn't find in some normal "rational" sense.  But let us consider for a moment the miracles of Christ, for they are all, importantly and essentially for us, connected to faith.  My study Bible points out that St. Peter is able to walk on the water toward Christ so long as he keeps his focus on Christ, a key to understanding the miraculous sense here.  The people who bring their sick to be healed have the sort of faith that resembles that of the woman with the twelve year blood flow: we're told that they begged Him that they might only touch the hem of His garment.  And as many as touched it were made perfectly well.  This connection of faith is clearly the thread -- or perhaps we should say rope -- by which we make contact with potentials that are far beyond the daily grasp of the worldly.  It's also quite essential that we know Peter requested Jesus to command him to walk toward Him, so Peter knows he's responding to a command from Christ.  Moreover, it's the fourth watch of the night, which begins at three o'clock in the morning, and so there is only whatever light might be found on the sea from the stars and moon.  Just as Peter begins to sink once he takes his eyes of the Jesus, so when we lose that thread (or rather, that sturdy rope to hang onto) we also risk sinking into the daily grind of limited expectations and colorless perspective.  Faith, on the other hand, can inspire from depths we didn't know we had.  Indeed, faith can open up depths within us to explore -- to be healed of painful trauma we conceal from ourselves, and to open to creative energies we hadn't understood were there.  Faith gives us confidence just as it gave St. Peter, but we have to remember that it is that we look to Christ that is the key.  It's one thing to place one's faith in something inanimate, or something worldly and material, and another to place one's faith in Christ, the One came to the world in order to bring us life, and to bring life more abundantly (John 10:10).  That becomes a faith -- a key to union -- with something that offers us much more than we can give it.  That faith opens up to the work of the apostles, with whom Christ was able to share His power and authority.  That kind of faith opens up the fruit of the Spirit we read about in Galatians 5:22-23, allowing us to participate in those virtues we otherwise do not have the resources to muster.  These examples are just the bare minimum of gifts and inspiration that we can attribute to faith.  Faith confers the capacity to keep going when otherwise things simply look hopeless when we take God out of the picture.  Faith confers the ability to keep trying when recovery from illness seems impossible.  Faith teaches us that where there is life there is hope, and so on -- we could continue this list far beyond the limits of a blog post.  But what is of true importance, once again, is Whom it is that we put our faith into, for Christ has a gospel message, a Kingdom characterized by certain realities He teaches, and the power of love and life.  His is not the gospel of rage or vengeance or material power.  He offers us that special thing we see on display in today's reading, and if we can look around, we'll find it all around us in the world of the faithful of today, yesterday, and those to come.  In that light, I'd like to share an inspirational blog post regarding a young man called "Superman," written by his Dad (found at this Substack link, which can be read free of charge).  Through faith, a boy with serious struggles became Superman, and continues to inspire.  Let us consider the power of our faith today, in such a world of devastating spectacle, but so much potential that is hidden without that faith.  Let us consider the miraculous, and how it may appear to us when we are least expecting it, without the eyes of faith to see it.

 

 

 

 

Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid

 

 Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away.  And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray.  Now when evening came, He was alone there.  But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.  Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea.  And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, "It is a ghost!"  And they cried out for fear.  But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Be of good cheer!  It is I; do not be afraid."  And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water."  So He said, "Come."  And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.  But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!"  And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"  And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.  Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, "Truly You are the Son of God."

When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret.  And when the men of that place recognized Him, they sent out into all that surrounding region, brought to Him all who were sick, and begged Him that they might only touch the hem of His garment.  And as many as touched it were made perfectly well.

 

- Matthew 14:22-36 

 

Yesterday we read that when Jesus heard that Herod now suspected He was John the Baptist risen from the dead, He departed from there by boat to a deserted place by Himself.  But when the multitudes heard it, they followed Him on foot from the cities.  And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.  When it was evening, His disciples came to Him, saying, "This is a deserted place, and the hour is already late.  Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages and buy themselves food."  But Jesus said to them, "They do not need to go away.  You give them something to eat."  And they said to Him, "We have here only five loaves and two fish."  He said, "Bring them here to Me."  Then He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass.  And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitudes.  So they all ate and were filled, and they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments that remained.  Now those who had eaten were about give thousand men, besides women and children.

 

 Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away.  And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray.  Now when evening came, He was alone there.  But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.  Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea.  And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, "It is a ghost!"  And they cried out for fear.  But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Be of good cheer!  It is I; do not be afraid."   My study Bible comments that this is the second time that Christ permits His disciples to be caught in a storm (see this reading; verses 23-27).  The first time it happened He was with them; but here He had left them alone.  In this way, my study Bible explains, Christ strengthens their faith that He will always be with them in the midst of the storms of life.  It is I is literally translated "I Am," the divine Name of God (see John 8:58, Exodus 3:14).  Christ reminds the fearful disciples of His absolute and divine authority over their lives.  

And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water."  So He said, "Come."  And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.  But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!"   My study Bible says that Peter's faith allows him to walk on the water.  It asks us to note that Peter does not ask to walk on water per se, but rather to come to Jesus.  Peter's desire is not to perform miracles, but to be with the Lord.  Peter can participate in this divine miracle so long as he keeps his focus on Christ.  But as soon as he is distracted, he begins to sink.  

And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"  My study Bible asks us to note that the Greek term for doubt here means "wavering" or "hesitation."  The cause of Peter's sinking, it notes, is not the storm but rather Peter's doubt; therefore Christ doesn't rebuke the wind, but He rebukes Peter.

 

And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.  Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, "Truly You are the Son of God."   My study Bible comments that this is the first time the disciples confess that Jesus is the Son of God.  It says that they know that only God can be worshiped, and confess Christ's divinity by worshiping Him.  (The word for worshiped in the text means to bow down prostrate in reverence to, the act of worship.)  The boat is symbolic of the Church.

 

 When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret.  And when the men of that place recognized Him, they sent out into all that surrounding region, brought to Him all who were sick, and begged Him that they might only touch the hem of His garment.  And as many as touched it were made perfectly well.  My study Bible says that Christ permits miracles through touch in order to show that His very body is life, and that contact with His flesh is life-creating (see Matthew 9:20-22).  

In accordance with the traditional understanding that the boat with Christ and the disciples is an image of the Church, my study Bible comments that God both permits storms and delivers us through them, so that we can see God's protection more clearly.  Such storms also serve as images of the tempests within us that stir the soul, and cause frustration, dismay, anxiety, and a host of other feelings to come into ourselves and overwhelm us.  In that sense, the surging waters in the midst of a storm also symbolize such internal tempests that rock us.  We're reminded of the story of Genesis, in which "the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters" (Genesis 1:2).  To be without form and void is an image of chaos, the deep waters a sense of being overwhelmed, and all the darkness gives us a picture of a time when we can't see our way through, can't think how we'll get through.  To use another metaphor, a time when we "can't see the forest for the trees."  But the next thing that happens in the Genesis story is that creative power that tells us that as long as the Spirit of God is hovering over, whatever we think we see and experience is not the whole picture, but God is also present, and so is the power of God.  Suddenly God the Word is present in the command, "Let there be light," and there was light.  And the Word in today's reading walks on the stormy dark waters to the disciples, the Word announces His presence, saying literally, "I am," the name of the Lord from the Old Testament.  And He also tells them "Be of good cheer!" and "do not be afraid."  In today's reading, it is Christ who brings with Him the light that changes everything, so that they can see what is truly what -- that they are not alone, and not abandoned, and that He is with them, wherever they are -- even in the dark stormy waters about the fourth watch of the night.  That is, midst the dark and unknown chaos of three o'clock in the morning.  If we can know in the midst of our own stormy and chaotic times in the darkness of 3 A.M. that Christ is present there in the darkness, how much is that worth to us?  If we know that the Spirit of God hovers over our times when we can't see the billows and waves coming at us, how much is that worth?  If we know the light is present to guide us, how much is that worth to us?  It means we aren't alone, that there is a force to guide us and help us, and that in even the darkest moments there is someone who knows us, who sees us, who hovers over and comes to us, that there is a source of the light we need to see our way through when the wind seems to blow against us no matter how hard we try.  When we're overwhelmed, it is hard to take refuge in hope, but nevertheless it is to prayer we must turn and know that this is what we can do and must not forget.  For although we might feel alone, oftentimes such storms are meant to help us to realize what is possible, and the strength and courage and endurance of which we're capable, the guidance and faith in which we need to put our trust even in times we can feel no trust.  For this is the way the disciples have gone before us and the countless faithful throughout the generations who've gone before.  It is the world in which we live, the life He knows we live, and the only way through it.

Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid

 

 Now when evening came, the boat was in the middle of the sea; and He was alone on the land.  Then He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them.  Now about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea, and would have passed them by.  And when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed it was a ghost, and cried out; for they all saw Him and were troubled.  But immediately He talked with them and said to them, "Be of good cheer!  It is I; do not be afraid."  Then He went up into the boat to them, and the wind ceased.  And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marveled.  For they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened.

When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret and anchored there.  And when they came out of the boat, immediately the people recognized Him, ran through that whole surrounding region, and began to carry about on beds those who were sick to wherever they heard He was.  Wherever He entered, into villages, cities, or the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged Him that they might just touch the hem of His garment.  And as many as touched Him were made well.

 

- Mark 6:47–56 

 

Yesterday we read that, the apostles having returned from their first missionary journey, they gathered to Jesus and told Him all things, both what they had done and what they had taught.  And He said to them, "Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while."  For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.  So they departed to a deserted place in the boat by themselves.  But the multitudes saw them departing, and many knew Him and ran there on foot from all the cities.  They arrived before them and came together to Him.  And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd.  So He began to teach them many things.  When the day was now far spent, His disciples came to Him and said, "This is a deserted place, and already the hour is late.  Send them away, that they may go into the surrounding country and villages and buy themselves bread, for they have nothing to eat."  But He answered and said to them, "You give them something to eat."  And they said to Him, "Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give them something to eat?"  But He said to them, "How many loaves do you have?  Go and see."  And when they found out they said, "Five, and two fish."  Then He commanded them to make them all sit down in groups on the green grass.  So they sat down in ranks, in hundreds and in fifties.  And when He had taken the five loaves and the two fish, He looked up to heaven, blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to His disciples to set before them; and the two fish He divided among them all.  So they all ate and were filled.  And they took up twelve baskets full of fragments and of the fish.  Now those who had eaten the loaves were about five thousand men.  Immediately He made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while He sent the multitude away.  And when He had sent them away, He departed to the mountain to pray.   

 Now when evening came, the boat was in the middle of the sea; and He was alone on the land.  Then He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them.  Now about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea, and would have passed them by.  And when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed it was a ghost, and cried out; for they all saw Him and were troubled.  But immediately He talked with them and said to them, "Be of good cheer!  It is I; do not be afraid."  Then He went up into the boat to them, and the wind ceased.  And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marveled.  My study Bible remarks that this is the second time Christ permits His disciples to be caught in a storm (see this reading for their previous experience in a storm while crossing the Sea of Galilee).  Let us note that in yesterday's reading (see above), Jesus had sent them across the sea toward Bethsaida, while He went to the mountain to pray.  The first time they were caught in the storm of the sea He was with them.  In today's reading, He has sent them ahead of Him, alone.  In this way, my study Bible explains, Christ strengthens their faith that He will always be with them in the midst of the storms of life.  It is I is literally translated as "I Am," which is the divine Name of God from the Old Testament (see John 8:58, Exodus 3:14).  My study Bible says that in this way, Jesus reminds the fearful disciples of His absolute and divine authority over their lives.  The fourth watch of the night is approximately three o'clock in the morning.

For they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened.   To know Christ is a matter of the heart, my study Bible comments, and not merely the intellect.  When our hearts are illumined by faith in God, it says, they are open to receive God's presence and grace.  In the ascetic writings of the Church, the heart is known as the "seat of knowledge."

When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret and anchored there.  And when they came out of the boat, immediately the people recognized Him, ran through that whole surrounding region, and began to carry about on beds those who were sick to wherever they heard He was.  Wherever He entered, into villages, cities, or the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged Him that they might just touch the hem of His garment.  And as many as touched Him were made well.  My study Bible reminds us that Christ permits miracles through touch in order to show that His very body is life-giving (see also this reading, especially the section on the healing of the woman with the years-long blood flow).

 

The stories about Jesus and His ministry are filled with drama.  The previous time the disciples crossed the Sea of Galilee in the middle of a frightening storm, they found themselves finally coming to rest in a deserted, "lawless" place among tombs, where they met a man possessed by a Legion of demons (in this reading).   But here, the reception is quite different.  They've anchored in a place where Jesus is well-known and immediately recognized.  Here, and apparently in the entire surrounding region of villages, cities, and country, people laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged Him that they might just touch the hem of His garment.  Mark especially seems to give us the "flavor" of this ministry as that which drives the disciples through a enormous and dizzying variety of experiences, all vivid in their own ways.  I don't know if we can imagine what it would be like to be in a boat, rowing, in the middle of a stormy Sea of Galilee at three o'clock in the morning!  That is, of course, unless we've had a similar experience.  I've found myself on a slightly stormy sea in the middle of bright daylight in the summer in the Aegean, on a modern large catamaran with a powerful motor designed for such a trip, and even then I can say the experienced captain was clearly extremely anxious and frightened for what might happen.  In that instance, we docked at the nearest island port until the storm passed.  If we put ourselves in the shoes of the disciples, can we even imagine what this would have been like at 3:00 AM, without modern technological help?  Seeing Christ walking on the water, of course, adds another element to the story!  While there are those who may dismiss out of hand the miraculous elements of the Gospels, I'm not one of them.  Even modern physics posits a multi-dimensional universe, and that particles of energy and matter do not always behave as expected.  I accept Christ's identity in the sense that today's reading teaches us about Him:  as God Incarnate He has a mastery over wind and waves and the forces of nature.  As Mark unfolds the stories of Jesus' ministry, we see revealed to the disciples more and more glimpses or signs of Christ's divinity.  Who can walk on water?  Who can calm the waves and the winds?  Moreover, in today's reading, we catch sight of ourselves, and how we are able to blind ourselves to things we can't quite accept.  It tells us that the disciples' hearts were hardened so that they did not understand about the loaves and the fishes described in yesterday's reading.  How is that possible?  In an era in which we're used to being told explicit news events, "verified" by what we see on television or hear in recordings, in which we are constantly fed evidence of "proof" of something, this might be hard to understand.  A mass acceptance of something seems to make it so (helped along by marketing techniques for the public).  But eye witness experience is different, and our minds work in a particular way to influence what we think we know or see.  Therefore to have a "hardened heart" in Biblical parlance is to be blind to something, either deliberately, or in the case of the disciples, perhaps they are having a hard time accepting all that they are being exposed to about Jesus and what it all implies.  In the tradition of the Church, as explained above in the notes from my study Bible, the heart is a seat of knowledge, and there in the heart is a kind of understanding that doesn't come simply from rational deduction or grasping of material facts.  There is another way to perceive, especially for the perception of things of a spiritual nature and the realities of our dependency upon and communion with God.  It is important to make room for an experiential understanding of faith, for ours is a kind of intimate relationship just as we read the disciples themselves developing with Christ.  This kind of dependency and trust is deepened in the  heart, and realities are grasped especially through a heart that is open to love and understanding, a sympathy that conveys wisdom or knowledge otherwise not known but understood.  This is the real spiritual tradition of the Church, those whom Christ calls capable of grasping faith as a little child, what it is to have a heart open to God.   In the Eastern Christian tradition, those with such a heart are called spiritual elders:  they need not be of any specific age or gender or walk of life.  But they are those with a deep and mature faith, expressed and experienced through such understanding and insight, and they are able to grasp the truth in the hearts of others that isn't necessarily accepted but is nevertheless there.  They are such that others open their hearts to them, and theirs is a humility that is filled with grace which may be easily overlooked by the world.  Our hearts are indeed the key to a deep mystery -- a mystery about who we are, and about God and our relationship to God.  Our hearts also tell a hidden story about what we'd rather not see.   Only God has the real key to our deepest hearts, and Christ is called the "heart-knower" (see Acts 1:24, in which the Greek text literally uses this term).   Just as Jesus can command physical nature, and heal human ailments, so another sign of His divinity is His knowledge of our hearts.  St. Paul writes, "For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ" (2 Corinthians 4:6).  Let us pay attention to the heart, where such light shines for us.  The disciples see Him walking toward them on the water, but He also speaks to our hearts when we need Him, and says, "Be of good cheer!  It is I; do not be afraid."

And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marveled. For they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened

 

 Now when evening came, the boat was in the middle of the sea; and He was alone on the land.  Then He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them.  Now about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea, and would have passed them by.  And when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed it was a ghost, and cried out; for they all saw Him and were troubled.  But immediately He talked with them and said to them, "Be of good cheer!  It is I; do not be afraid."  Then He went up into the boat to them, and the wind ceased.  And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marveled.  For they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened.

When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret and anchored there.  And when they came out of the boat, immediately the people recognized Him, ran through that whole surrounding region, and began to carry about on beds those who were sick to wherever they heard He was.  Wherever He entered, into villages, cities, or the country, they laid the sick in marketplaces, and begged Him that they might just touch the hem of His garment.  And as many as touched Him were made well.

 

- Mark 6:47–56 

 

Yesterday we read that the apostles, having returned from their first mission, gathered to Jesus and told Him all things, both what they had done and what they had taught.  And He said to them, "Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while."  For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.  So they departed to a deserted place in the boat by themselves.  But the multitudes saw them departing, and many knew Him and ran there on foot from all the cities.  They arrived before them and came together to Him.  And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd.  So He began to teach them many things.  When the day was now far spent, His disciples came to Him and said, "This is a deserted place, and already the hour is late.  Send them away, that they may go into the surrounding country and villages and buy themselves bread; for they have nothing to eat."  But He answered and said to them, "You give them something to eat."  And they said to Him, "Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give them something to eat?"  But He said to them, "How many loaves do you have?  Go and see."  And when they found out they said, "Five, and two fish."  Then He commanded them to make them all sit down in groups on the green grass.  So they sat down in ranks, in hundreds and in fifties.  And when He had taken the five loaves and the two fish, He looked up to heaven, blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to His disciples to set before them; and the two fish He divided among them all.  So they all ate and were filled.  And they took up twelve baskets full of fragments and of the fish.  Now those who had eaten the loaves were about five thousand men.  Immediately He made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while He sent the multitude away.  And when He had sent them away, He departed to the mountain to pray.

 

 Now when evening came, the boat was in the middle of the sea; and He was alone on the land.  Then He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them.  Now about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea, and would have passed them by.  And when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed it was a ghost, and cried out; for they all saw Him and were troubled.  But immediately He talked with them and said to them, "Be of good cheer!  It is I; do not be afraid."  Then He went up into the boat to them, and the wind ceased.   My study bible points out that this is the second time that Christ permits His disciples to be caught in a storm (see also this reading from last week).  The previous time He was with them, but here He had commanded them to row alone without Him across the Sea of Galilee.  In this way, my study bible tells us, Christ strengthens their faith that He will be with them in the midst of the storms of life.  It is I is literally in the Greek "I Am."  That is the divine Name of God given to Moses in Exodus 3:14, and by which Jesus will also refer to Himself as Incarnate Lord (John 8:58).   In this way, Jesus reminds the fearful disciples that His authority over their lives is both absolute and divine.  

And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marveled.  For they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened.  My study bible comments that knowing Christ is a matter of the heart, and not simply one's intellect.  It says that when our hearts are illumined by faith in God, they are open to receive God's presence and grace.  In the ascetic writings and tradition of the Church, the heart is known as "the seat of knowledge."  The loaves refers to the miraculous feeding in the wilderness in yesterday's reading, above. 

 

When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret and anchored there.  And when they came out of the boat, immediately the people recognized Him, ran through that whole surrounding region, and began to carry about on beds those who were sick to wherever they heard He was.  Wherever He entered, into villages, cities, or the country, they laid the sick in marketplaces, and begged Him that they might just touch the hem of His garment.  And as many as touched Him were made well.  At this point, Christ is so well known and sought after in this region that people run to Him.  My study bible comments that Christ permits miracles through touch to show that His very body is lfie-giving (see also Mark 5:25-29).   

How can we understand the power and knowledge of the heart in a modern world?  It seems frequently that the modern world has forgotten all about this strange understanding of knowledge of the heart, and is focused exclusively on the mind or intellect, putting faith in abstraction and theory over experience and understanding as it pertains to the soul and the spirit.  That especially would include our connection to God.  In truth, a human being does not fully function as a whole picture of the self without all of these elements participating at once.  In fact, the intellect without direction from a true understanding of the heart does not fully grasp what is love, and easily mistakes a kind of selfish indulgence for the true things of love, which include the wisdom of what real needs human beings have.  As a child understands the gratification of selfish desire as some sort of paradisaical state, an adult with more experience in life understands deeper needs of the child that the child can't see, such as medical care that is not necessarily fun or enjoyable.  Education itself is another lifelong need of human beings; but that also might require changing our minds, enlarging our perspectives, growing and stretching  in ways that are not easy.  And there we come to the things of the heart that include knowledge, for this education also comes to us in spiritual things, and in learning the needs of our souls, even the need to prepare for a greater life than meets the eye in a worldly sense.  Expanding our understanding of life as fully lived, which includes the understanding of the presence of Creator within our material world, is something which is an affair not just of the intellect, but also of the heart.  Without the experiential life of faith, and especially as lived through the practice of prayer, worship, study of Scripture and the life of the Church through those who have come before us, we don't get to be fully rounded in our knowledge of who we are and who we are called to be and to become.  Finally, as God is love (1 John 4:7-21), we grow in learning and practicing love through our experience of communion with God.  This is a lifelong matter of coming to terms with our own corrections and needs for repentance and personal change within the context of the experience of faith.  If that seems too strange or overwhelming to consider, think about the experience of friendship.  Learning what hurts others, and what hurts oneself, becomes a process of growth in knowing how to be a friend and what to look for in a friend.  Our communion with God -- a reality of the heart -- becomes such a process that expands us and helps us to understand and grow in love, but incorporates so much more than a worldly friendship does.  God will ask us to constantly grow in all the dimensions of which we are capable, and that includes those we don't know about without participation in this life that is offered to us through Christ.  Saints are the product of this love and growth.  They are not necessarily "perfect" human beings without flaws and failures, but they are those who are forged and whose identity is born through this deepening process of love and communion with God.  They bring and anchor heaven into this world, material life and life in Christ at the same time.  In Acts 17, St. Paul tells to the Athenians that he is there to illumine to them "the unknown god" whom their philosophy has given them to understand exists, but of whom they have no knowledge.  He tells them that God is the creator of heaven and earth, and does not dwell in temples made with hands.  Rather, the entire race of human beings are created "so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, 'For we are also His offspring' " (Acts 17:26-28).   This reality that dwells among us, in Whom we live and move and have our being, therefore, is the one which is to be known and understood in the heart.  The heart, the center of the self, encompasses all of our faculties so that we come to grow and to understand our proper place in communion with God and midst all of creation, and that must be the fullness of love.  Let us open and nurture that place, and protect it from the influences which would deprive us of so great and precious a treasure.

 

 

Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid

 Now when evening came, the boat was in the middle of the sea; and He was alone on the land.  Then He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them.  Now about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea, and would have passed them by.  And when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed it was a ghost, and cried out; for they all saw Him and were troubled.  But immediately He talked with them and said to them, "Be of good cheer!  It is I; do not be afraid."  Then He went up into the boat to them, and the wind ceased.  And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marveled.  For they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened.

When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret and anchored there.  And when they came out of the boat, immediately the people recognized Him, ran through that whole surrounding region, and began to carry about on beds those who were sick to wherever they heard He was.  Wherever He entered, into villages, cities, or the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged Him that they might just touch the hem of His garment.  And as many as touched Him were made well.

- Mark 6:47-56

Yesterday we read that, following their first mission, the apostles gathered to Jesus and told Him all things, both what they had done and what they had taught.  And He said to them, "Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while."  For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.  So they departed to a deserted place in the boat by themselves.  But the multitudes saw them departing, and many knew Him and ran there on foot from all the cities.  They arrived before them and came together to Him.  And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd.  So He began to teach them many things.  When the day was now far spent, His disciples came to Him and said, "This is a deserted place, and already the hour is late.  Send them away, that they may go into the surrounding country and villages and buy themselves bread; for they have nothing to eat."  But He answered and said to them, "You give them something to eat."  And they said to Him, "Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give them something to eat?"  But He said to them, "How many loaves do you have?  Go and see."  And when they found out they said, "Five, and two fish."  Then He commanded them to make them all sit down in groups on the green grass.  So they sat down in ranks, in hundreds and in fifties.  And when He had taken the five loaves and the two fish, He looked up to heaven, blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to His disciples to set before them; and the two fish He divided among them all.  So they all ate and were filled.  And they took up twelve baskets full of fragments and of the fish.  Now those who had eaten the loaves were about five thousand men.  Immediately He made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while He sent the multitude away.  And when He had sent them away, He departed to the mountain to pray. 

 Now when evening came, the boat was in the middle of the sea; and He was alone on the land.  Then He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them.  Now about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea, and would have passed them by.  And when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed it was a ghost, and cried out; for they all saw Him and were troubled.  But immediately He talked with them and said to them, "Be of good cheer!  It is I; do not be afraid."  Then He went up into the boat to them, and the wind ceased.  And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marveled.  For they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened.   Our reading picks up from where yesterday's left off:  after feeding the five thousand men (and more women and children) in the wilderness, Jesus had sent the disciples to go in a boat before Him across the Sea of Galilee yet again, towards Bethsaida.  Jesus Himself went to the mountain to pray.  So at this time, the disciples are by themselves in the middle of the Sea of Galilee, which is really a very large lake, approximately thirteen miles long and eight miles wide.   The disciples, several of whom are experienced fishermen, are straining at rowing as the wind was against them.  The text tells us that Jesus, alone on the land, saw them.  The fourth watch of the night is about three o'clock in the morning.  This is the second time that Christ has allowed them to be caught in a storm (see also this reading).  My study bible notes that the first time, He was with them (He slept in the stern of the boat); this second time He has left them alone.  In this way, my study bible says, Christ strengthens their faith that He will always be with them in the midst of the storms of life.   Jesus tells the disciples, "It is I," which is literally translated from the Greek, "I Am," and is the divine Name of God (see John 8:58).  My study bible tells us that Christ reminds the fearful disciples of His absolute and divine authority over their lives.  Interestingly the text notes that the disciples had not understood about the multiplication of the loaves (see yesterday's reading, above), because their heart was hardened, meaning they did not perceive the miraculous nature of the feeding, Jesus' divine power at work.  Even the disciples were blinded to the nature of what was happening, despite the things -- such as divine healing -- which they had already seen.  My study bible comments that knowing Christ is a matter of the heart, not simply the intellect.  It says that when our hearts are illumined by faith in God, they are open to receive God's presence and grace.  In the ascetic writings of the Church, the heart is called "the seat of knowledge."

When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret and anchored there.  And when they came out of the boat, immediately the people recognized Him, ran through that whole surrounding region, and began to carry about on beds those who were sick to wherever they heard He was.  Wherever He entered, into villages, cities, or the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged Him that they might just touch the hem of His garment.  And as many as touched Him were made well.  We note again Jesus' fame for healing.  He is the hope of the hopeless.  Again, even the hem of His garment is now recognized as healing (see 5:25-29).  My study bible says that Christ allows miracles through touch to show that His very body is life-giving.

What do we make of the phenomenon of Jesus' healing by touch, that even the hem of His garment is life-giving?  My study bible gives us a fundamental understanding of our faith, that His very body is life-giving.  This is a foundational treatment in the understanding of the Eucharist and its benefits for us.  There are many dimensions to the understanding of the Eucharist, and this is one of them.  As we "do this in remembrance" of Him (Luke 22:19), so we accept that this is His body and His blood  (14:22-26).  We accept, and I also ascribe to this aspect of our faith, that Christ is mystically present.  "Mystically present," as I understand it, does not entail some deep detailed explanation of how exactly that happens physically or microscopically or any such thing.  It is what it implies:  an article of faith, a mystical reality that involves far more than we understand or know.  In the sacrament of the Eucharist, as instituted by Christ, He is mystically present, His body and blood.  This is the body and blood which was capable of giving healing by faith and through touch.  It is that which was prefigured in the feeding of five thousand, which we read in yesterday's lectionary reading (above).  Today, in the midst of the coronavirus epidemic, debate rages in the Churches over questions of protection of the population and the distribution of the Eucharist.  State bodies have intervened, and at this present moment, churches are not congregating.  Instead, many are having services without a full congregation present, in which priests do as they have done since the institution of the Church:  they consecrate the sacrament on behalf of all of their flock.  They pray for us.  They are mediators in this sense of acting on our behalf in worship.  And the sacrament goes on, the Eucharist remains for all.  This does not stop.  In some churches (such as the Armenian Apostolic Church), Lent is a time when the sacrament is not taken as the normal practice in the Church.  But we can all look to the story of the disciples as they row their boat against strong headwinds, alone in the middle of the Sea of Galilee, for some guidance and enlightenment in our present circumstances at this time.  Although they are far away from Christ, and feel terribly threatened and afraid in the storm and in the darkest part of the night, they really are not alone.  Christ, alone on the land, still sees them straining at rowing.  He knows about them, although they are not aware that He knows and He sees.  For them, He is far away, and so when He approaches, walking on the water, they suppose that He is a ghost.  But He is not a ghost; He is instead mystically present.  That is, we don't know how His divine power works, we cannot explain it, and we don't have rational explanations based on laws of physics that we know.  But then again, Christ -- although fully human -- is not an average human being.  He is also divine, and therefore spans dimensions of existence in ways we can't know nor understand.  Whether we are first century fishermen, or PhD candidates in modern science, the cosmos, in its entire existence and its fullness, still holds mysteries we can't explain and don't know about.  Let us consider ourselves then, like the apostles, straining at rowing with headwinds against us, in the middle of a giant lake, at three o'clock in the morning.  We don't know that Christ is aware of us, and we certainly can't necessarily perceive Him.  But He knows and He comes to us.  His life-giving Eucharist is served in our churches on our behalf whether we are present there or not.  Let us remember His words to the disciples, "Be of good cheer!  It is I; do not be afraid."   Through all things, this divine "I Am" is present with us.   He sees our struggle; He asks our faith, and that we call on Him through prayer, mystical dialogue.  Let us remember that our emphasis now should be on our faith, and how we get through uncertain circumstances.  Keep in mind always that the "mystical" part of our faith is indispensable, and that without it, we don't have a complete grasp of what to be a Christian is all about.  We accept in trust that there are realities we don't yet understand, and we look to a future when possibly we will come to know what we don't see now.  What we do know, however, is that love transcends all realities, from the divine to the deeply worldly.  There is nothing that can stop it, save the hardness of our hearts to turn against its understanding and perception.  Let us read once again from the words of St. Paul:  "Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part.  But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.  For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.  And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love" (1 Corinthians 13:8-13).  It is love through which Christ is sent ("For God so loved the world" - John 3:16).  Jesus tells the disciples, "Do not be afraid."  St. John writes that "perfect love casts out fear" (1 John 4:18).  We put our trust in that love, through all things, even when the winds blow against us, for that is where our faith belongs.  In this time of difficulty, call on that love, count on it, live it, share it as we are motivated to do, and let it give us strength to ride out the storm.   His love is always mystically present.

They were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marveled. For they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened

 Now when evening came, the boat was in the middle of the sea; and he was alone on the land.  Then He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them.  Now about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea, and would have passed them by.  And when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed it was a ghost, and cried out; for they all saw Him and were troubled.  But immediately He talked with them and said to them, "Be of good cheer!  It is I; do not be afraid."  Then He went up into the boat to them, and the wind ceased.  And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marveled.  For they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened.

When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret and anchored there.  And when they came out of the boat, immediately the people recognized Him, ran through that whole surrounding region, and began to carry about on beds those who were sick to wherever they heard He was.  Wherever He entered, into villages, cities, or the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged Him that they might just touch the hem of His garment.  And as many as touched Him were made well. 

- Mark 6:47-56

Yesterday we read that, upon returning from their first mission, the apostles gathered to Jesus and told Him all things, both what they had done and what they had taught.  And He said to them, "Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while."  For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.  So they departed to a deserted place in the boat by themselves.  But the multitudes saw them departing, and many knew Him and ran there on foot from all the cities.  They arrived before them and came together to Him.  And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd.  So He began to teach them many things.  When the day was now far spent, His disciples came to Him and said, "This is a deserted place, and already the hour is late.  Send them away, that they may go into the surrounding country and villages and buy themselves bread; for they have nothing to eat."  But He answered and said to them, "You give them something to eat."  And they said to Him, "Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give them something to eat?"  But He said to them, "How many loaves do you have?  Go and see."  And when they found out they said, "Five, and two fish."  Then he commanded them to make them all sit down in groups on the green grass.  So they sat down in ranks, in hundreds and in fifties.  And when He had taken the five loaves and the two fish, He looked up to heaven, blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to His disciples to set before them; and the two fish He divided among them all.  So they all ate and were filled.  And they took up twelve baskets full of fragments and of the fish.  Now those who had eaten the loaves were about five thousand men.  Immediately He made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while He sent the multitude away.  And when He had sent them away, He departed to the mountain to pray.

Now when evening came, the boat was in the middle of the sea; and he was alone on the land.  Then He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them.  Now about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea, and would have passed them by.  And when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed it was a ghost, and cried out; for they all saw Him and were troubled.  But immediately He talked with them and said to them, "Be of good cheer!  It is I; do not be afraid."  Then He went up into the boat to them, and the wind ceased.  And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marveled.  For they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened.   My study bible tells us here that knowing Christ is a matter of the heart, not merely the intellect.  It says, "When our hearts are illumined by faith in God, they are open to receive His presence and grace."  The ascetic writings of the Church call the heart the "seat of knowledge."   It is the true center of a person, which includes the fullness of what it is to be a person.  The fourth watch of the night is about three o'clock in the morning.

When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret and anchored there.  And when they came out of the boat, immediately the people recognized Him, ran through that whole surrounding region, and began to carry about on beds those who were sick to wherever they heard He was.  Wherever He entered, into villages, cities, or the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged Him that they might just touch the hem of His garment.  And as many as touched Him were made well.  The fact that miracles are permitted merely by touch shows that Christ's very body is life-giving.  (See also 5:25-29, the healing of the woman with the blood flow.)

Our reading tells us that the disciples were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marveled, when Jesus went up to the boat in the middle of the sea.  For they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened.   This astonishing picture is one in which a number of elements are present:  Christ sends the disciples across the sea when it is already late, and He stayed by Himself on the mountain to pray.  About three o'clock in the morning, the disciples are having trouble.  All the winds are against them.  And He walks out into the sea to them.  What a picture this makes of loneliness and struggle, the disciples (again, many of whom were seasoned professional fishermen) struggle at rowing.  It's the wee early hours of the morning.  It's a story of Christ always with us, teaching us, "Be of good cheer!  It is I; do not be afraid."  That which is translated as "be of good cheer" is more accurately rendered as "take heart" or "take courage."  This story of three o'clock in the morning isn't so strange to those who know sleepless nights when worry or struggle keeps them awake.  And it is a good time for prayer, if we follow Jesus' example.  We pray so that we, too, may find His courage and His words that teach us not to be afraid.  But then something else is even more intriguing in the reading, that we are told that the disciples were amazed and marveled because they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened.   How could they not have understood?  Were they not witnesses with their own eyes?  What this seems to suggest is that amazing and astonishing as walking on the water is, what happened with the loaves and fishes (in yesterday's reading, above) was somehow even more miraculous, more astonishing, required a deeper grasp of faith to understand.  The depth of mystery in this foreshadowing of the Eucharist is something with perhaps even more hidden meaning and power, an even greater gift, than the unheard-of capacity of walking on the water (only the divine can surpass the laws of nature).  Somehow something so great was happening at the feeding in the wilderness that the disciples' hearts were "hardened" against it, and they failed to understand.  After all, the whole mission of Christ in the world is one of "feeding" us with His very Person, of allowing us to participate in His life, to abide in Him.  That is an endless act of power, one that will never stop giving to us.  It is not limited in time to one event, nor is it limited in supply, but is and will continue to be endlessly replicated, infinitely feeding and giving and nurturing us.  And this is just a fragment of the immeasurably deeper mystery, the great gift contained in the feeding of the five thousand, which is central to all four Gospels.  Whatever we are given, it is contained in the fullness of what we have yet to fully unpack, so to speak, the food Christ gives us forever, for every moment, whether it be comfort or teaching or leading us as the sheep who need a Shepherd - or, mysteriously, His body and blood.  The disciples are only beginning to get a clue about what they are involved with, and even their hearts aren't ready to expand to contain what Christ brings to us.  What do you need to open your heart to that is in His life for you?

Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid

 Now when evening came, the boat was in the middle of the sea; and He was alone on the land.  Then He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them.  Now about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea, and would have passed them by.  And when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed it was a ghost, and cried out; for they all saw Him and were troubled.  But immediately He talked with them and said to them, "Be of good cheer!  It is I; do not be afraid."  Then He went up into the boat to them, and the wind ceased.  And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marveled.  For they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened.

When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret and anchored there.  And when they came out of the boat, immediately the people recognized Him, ran through that whole surrounding region, and began to carry about on beds those who were sick to wherever they heard He was.  Wherever He entered, into villages, cities, or the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged Him that they might just touch the hem of His garment.  And as many as touched Him were made well.

- Mark 6:47-56

In yesterday's reading, we read about the feeding of the five thousand men (and more women and children).  Jesus had drawn His disciples away for rest and talk after their first apostolic mission.  They had gone in a boat across the sea to a deserted place, but people ran on foot ahead of them and anticipated where they would land.  And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd.  So He began to teach them many things.  When the day was now far spent, His disciples came to Him and said, "This is a deserted place, and already the hour is late.  Send them away, that they may go into the surrounding country and villages and buy themselves bread; for they have nothing to eat."  But He answered and said to them, "You give them something to eat."  And they said to Him, "Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give them something to eat?"  But He said to them, "How many loaves do you have?  Go and see."  And when they found out they said, "Five, and two fish."  Then He commanded them to make them all sit down in groups on the green grass.  So they sat down in ranks, in hundreds and in fifties.  And when He had taken the five loaves and the two fish, He looked up to heaven, blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to His disciples to set before them; and the two fish He divided among them all.  So they all ate and were filled.  And they took up twelve baskets full of fragments and of the fish.  Now those who had eaten the loaves were about five thousand men.  Immediately He made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while He sent the multitude away.  And when He had sent them away, He departed to the mountain to pray.

  Now when evening came, the boat was in the middle of the sea; and He was alone on the land.  Then He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them.   We've recently read about another incident in the middle of the sea, only that time Jesus was with the disciples.  He was asleep on a pillow in the stern, while a great storm raged on the sea so that the disciples feared they were perishing.  That was when they were journeying across the sea for the first time into Gentile territory.  So this place between territories is an important space, a time of faith, or rather one that requires faith, and it's not the first time they've been there.  This time, however, Jesus has sent them out on their own across the sea.  Once again the elements battle them, or perhaps they strain against the elements -- for the wind was against them.

Now about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea, and would have passed them by.  And when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed it was a ghost, and cried out; for they all saw Him and were troubled.   "About the fourth watch" of the night would be about 3:00 in the morning, when the "fourth watch" began.  It's a time when nothing seems to make sense and anything can happen; but we note as before their fear and difficulty against the wind.  He sees them and comes walking across the sea.  We can imagine their terror, supposing it was a ghost.  They had no idea what was happening.

But immediately He talked with them and said to them, "Be of good cheer!  It is I; do not be afraid."   My study bible says here:  "It is I, literally 'I am' (Gr. ego eimi), especially used in the Gospel of John, is Jesus' own testimony to His deity.  It reflects God's name as revealed to Moses at the burning bush (Ex. 3:14).   Only God is self-existent, uncreated, the only being whose existence depends on no other but Himself;  therefore, He alone can truly say, 'I am.' "

Then He went up into the boat to them, and the wind ceased.  And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marveled.  For they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened.    A note here reads, "The knowledge of Christ is a matter of the heart.  When our hearts are illumined by God, they become the seat of divine presence, grace and knowledge.  In all the ascetic writings of the Orthodox Church, the heart is known as the 'seat of knowledge.' "

When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret and anchored there.  And when they came out of the boat, immediately the people recognized Him, ran through that whole surrounding region, and began to carry about on beds those who were sick to wherever they heard He was.  Wherever He entered, into villages, cities, or the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged Him that they might just touch the hem of His garment.  And as many as touched Him were made well.  My study bible tells us that Gennesaret is a region of Gentiles, "where many respond to Jesus and are healed."  So faith, once again, makes the connection for the release of grace, of Godly power, God's energies.  Whether in Jewish territory or Gentile, it is faith that makes the difference, the connection to the divine.

It is this place on the sea that is so striking, this unknown place between territories where anything can happen, where the disciples are repeatedly subject to the winds and the waves and the elements of nature that may rise up to challenge them.  It is a kind of territory of the unknown, where chaos can happen.  But now, twice, it is Jesus who has calmed the elements of this "in between" place.  It's like that great place of our faith that may be challenged at any time by the elements outside of our control that are around us, and it is a lesson for us in all ways.  The American writer F. Scott Fitzgerald once wrote:  "In a real dark night of the soul it is always three o'clock in the morning."  I am assuming that he had this passage in mind, where they are on the water and it is about the fourth watch and the wind blows against them.  Christ appears and they do not know it is Him, they take Him for a ghost, they are terrified as they strain against the wind in the middle of the sea and in the middle of the night.  This "dark night" in between times and places is a time of the test of faith, the time of great unknowing and fear, where we may not be in control at all of what is going on around us or even in our lives.  We search for God but we may not even know God is near when God's presence is right there.  It's a terribly powerful symbolism of how at times, even in our faith journey, we can feel completely lost, abandoned, at a lonely terrifying place without help.  But Jesus' presence is stunningly symbolic as well:  God is there, we just might not be able to recognize God's presence.  We may not have the "knowing" to do so; our hearts may need softening, illumination, to learn something we don't know.  And that's a "dark night of the soul."  I can't say I'm an expert in what constitutes a "dark night" in the literature of all theologians and mystics, but I can say that setting out in the ways God may call us may often find us in this place where our faith needs to be stretched, where God is calling us in ways we might find frightful, out of the familiar and into the unknown, into places where we haven't the least idea what will happen.  As apostles, these disciples will be sent out to all kinds of places, to the ends of the earth, to where they know not what they will find as they enter upon mission, to create community in faith, in Christ.  Let us remember we will perhaps all go through such times in faith, those in-between places of fear, and God calls us just as God is as close as a shoulder; even in our fear Christ watches us and is there.  As in this story, Christ bridges everything.

O you of little faith, why did you doubt?

Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid."

And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." So He said, "Come." And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!" And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, "Truly You are the Son of God."

When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret. And when the men of that place recognized Him, they sent out into all that surrounding region, brought to Him all who were sick, and begged Him that they might only touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched it were made perfectly well.

- Matthew 14:22-36

In yesterday's reading, Jesus had withdrawn into a deserted place after hearing about John's death at the hands of Herod Antipas. He has also understood that Herod fears that Jesus is John returned, because Herod has now heard the reports of Jesus' ministry and the power expressed through Him. Despite His withdrawal, the multitudes followed Him on foot from the cities. Moved with compassion, He healed their sick. When evening came, the disciples wanted to send the people away, so that they could get food. But Jesus said to them, "They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat." And they said to Him, "We have here only five loaves and two fish." Jesus said, "Bring them here to Me." Then He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass. And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples gave them to the multitudes. So they all ate and were filled, and they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments that remained. Now those who had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Jesus carries out His earlier plans, for withdrawal and prayer. His ministry seemingly has entered a new phase with the news that Herod has beheaded John and also fears Jesus, and it is time for prayer with the Father. He sends His disciples back to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, and He remains in the deserted place, in which He has fed five thousand men, and yet more women and children. At all crucial points in His ministry, Jesus will turn to prayer with the Father. Throughout His ministry, it is obedience and love of the Father that will characterize His direction and plans.

But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. My study bible points out that this scene gives us an understanding of Christ's power, that He has dominion over nature. The fourth watch is about three o'clock in the morning.

And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid." My study bible says, "In saying to the disciples, be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid, He is also assuring us He will be with His people in the midst of the storms of life." So, we gather that a traditional way to view this scene is to understand what it is to be storm-tossed in our hearts, and in turmoil, and afraid. Sometimes the thing we need the most may be what we are most afraid of. I don't find this at all unusual; Christ will come to us in ways we don't expect, perhaps in forms that we need to "turn around" to really receive and know and understand. Repentance - change of mind - often accompanies recovery from trauma of any kind. It is another form of healing; hence, His words: "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid."

And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." So He said, "Come." And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!" And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" While this story is found in other Gospels, it is here in Matthew that we are given another glimpse of the exuberant and emotional character of Peter, who has been renamed "Rock" by Jesus. He makes a request, and Christ tells him, "Come." My study bible notes: "Come is the call of Christ in the midst of turmoil." "O you of little faith" tells us something about faith itself: that it can reach to depths in us, can always be increased, like a well or pool of grace. And this is where our powerful relationship with Christ comes in, through the turmoils we face in life, and our reliance on our life with Him and in Him. It takes courage to have great faith, but our experience is rewarded with a peace that surpasses understanding.

And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, "Truly You are the Son of God." These apostles, who, as we know, number among themselves experienced fishermen (including Peter), are in awe at the taming of the sea, the power of Christ over wind and waves and water. Christ here is clearly the Logos of John's Gospel, the One who puts order into all things, who can even subdue nature.

When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret. And when the men of that place recognized Him, they sent out into all that surrounding region, brought to Him all who were sick, and begged Him that they might only touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched it were made perfectly well. Our reading today is framed by stories of healing, making it clear that in all ways, Christ heals, His ministry is for healing. Addressing Peter's fears - and our own - in the midst of turmoil is healing. Addressing our "little faith" is also healing. Touching Christ's hem reminds us of the healing of the woman with the years-long blood flow, echoing the power of healing even when we are desperate and hopeless. We remember that He also said to her, "Be of good cheer." His words to her also emphasized the power of her faith in healing.

So, when we are in the midst of turmoil, we can think of Christ as shelter and refuge. Oftentimes I find that it is an immature faith that can't accept the ways in which Christ answers our prayers. This isn't an easy task, by any means. Simon is renamed Peter, "Rock" (Petros in the Greek), for a reason. It often takes great courage to face the real answers to prayers, the things that expose our underlying weaknesses and seek to address them, always giving us something to grow into, the image that Christ has of us and what we can be. One thing we can be sure of: if the world seemingly fails to understand the value that is in you, Christ will not. In His call to "Come" - even if we, like Peter, may be testing ourselves in some sense - is always an answer that calls us to deeper faith, deeper recognition of what we can be in God's plan, how He finds great value in us. In that sense, then, the "little faith" means that we fail to grasp our own significance in His sight, the things He may have in mind for us. I wrote earlier, above, that healing from any trauma may involve repentance, a "change of mind." In Christ's vision of us, when we are on those stormy seas, lies a promise in the change of mind. He understand who we can be, and sometimes through our own fears and assumptions, we resist the very thing we need to do, the change we need to make to be healed. What repentance do you need to make for His healing today? How has your faith been tested? How does He call you grow and deepen that relationship you have in Him?