Wednesday after Epiphany

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MARK 6:45–52

The Epiphany makes it clear to us that God sent Jesus into the world, not just to the Jewish people, but to all people of good will, as the angels had proclaimed in Bethlehem. Peace is God’s gift to us, and God alone can fill our hearts with true Peace. Yet if we are to have this great gift, we must be reconciled with anyone with whom we have had a disagreement. St. Paul says that IF we love one another God remains in us. Thankfully, Pax Christi reminds us love, justice and mercy must be offered to “every nation on earth” (Psalm 72). In fact Jesus teaches us in the Lord’s Prayer that the Father will forgive our shortcomings / sins “as we” – and only as we – are willing to forgive others (nations, too).

In today’s Gospel the crowds were “satisfied” after they had eaten and witnessed Jesus’ stupendous miracle. Then Jesus “made” his disciples get into the boat and precede him to the other side. Here follows my favorite line in the Scriptures, “And when he had taken leave of them, he went off to the mountain to pray”. The Lord himself needed a time of solitude for his prayers. His life was very active, but he often nurtured his “communication” with God through silence and solitude.

Now we find the disciples far out on the sea when “evening had come”, and they were in darkness, separated from their Beloved on land. They were facing uncertainty and sure peril as they lacked control over their own fate. No doubt there is a message here from Mark for us about our need to be close to Jesus, especially when the “wind” is against us.

However, I have often wondered why it says that Jesus “would have passed by them”. Perhaps he didn’t want to impose himself on them and waited for their invitation before boarding the boat. Jesus makes himself available to us in many ways but allows us the freedom to choose if we want his help.

What are the storms in my life that need calming?

Brother Vincent Adams, OSF

Chair, Department of Campus Ministry

St. Anthony’s High School