Mk 6:45-52

VSSVPM

After Jesus works the miracle of the loaves, he sends his disciples on a sea journey and dismisses the crowds. Then he goes up a mountain to pray alone, allowing his apostles to struggle before he comes to them across the sea.

Now the ship of the Apostles can be taken in an allegorical sense to mean Holy Mother Church, or else the individual soul. Both are buffeted by evil, error, and other storms of circumstance. Often those in the Church or the thoughts of the soul feel abandoned by God, by the Person of Christ.

But He is there on the shore, watching. He is allowing his people to build up patience and to experience their need for Him. When He is going to pass us by, he does so that we might cry out to Him.

And He responds - "Take Courage. It is I. Do not be afraid." After all, "Perfect love casts out all fear." When he says "It is I," it could be translated as "I AM", showing that He is who is, He is Being itself and therefore all creation serves Him. Its like in the Matrix: "Do not try to bend the spoon; that's impossible. Instead know the truth - there is no spoon..." Jesus knows the truth that He is God's Son, and so He could walk on God's water. And the storm calms at his Presence, "whose Voice is contentment and Presence is balm." It reminds one of David's wars, which were fought with the Lord on their side. Or of the passage in Joshua where the Lord listens to Joshua's request to stop the Sun! Or of the turmoil in fear-ridden Middle East and the voice of Papa Benedict calling for peace.

The Lord is on our side, friends! He sees us and comes to us concretely through the sacraments, through our fellow Christian witnesses, through the facts of life. Do not be afraid!

Lord, Divine Love, increase our faith in you and help us never to doubt that you are looking on us with love. Lord, without you we struggle in vain. Come to us and remain with us. Bring your light and hope and courage, "for if God is for us who can be against us?"

Mary, star of the sea, shine your light when we feel abandoned by God. Lead us to your Son, to the Word among us! Inspire our prayers, and present Jesus with all our needs, first and foremost our need for Himself.

All glory and praise to You, Blessed Trinity!