Daily Gospel Reflection for January 8, 2020

Today's Gospel: Mark 6:45-52 How familiar to us all is the image of Jesus walking on the water. It may even be so familiar that we fail to think about what a shocking sight it was for the apostles. They had just seen the Lord perform the miracle of the loaves. But we are told at the end of this Gospel that they had not understood, that “their hearts were hardened.” Perhaps they had made some excuses for the miracle. Were their hearts hardened to the possibility that Jesus could overcome the laws of nature? “Jesus made his disciples get into the boat.” It seems they had not intended to sail right then. Maybe they were even concerned about the weather. But Jesus made them. Clearly, the Lord had a specific plan in mind. Could it have been for the purpose of softening their hearts to the reality of His divinity? It was between 3 AM and 6 AM. Jesus was alone on the shore. “Then he saw that they were tossed about while rowing, for the wind was against them…He meant to pass by them.” Why would he pass by? They were in trouble and He knew it. I imagine He wanted them all to get a good look, to see that it was really He, to look at Him long and hard. He wanted them to believe, to see clearly that He was no ghost and that, yes, he was indeed walking right on the water. They were terrified. "‘Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid!' Jesus then got into the boat and the wind died down. They were completely astounded.” Surely at this point some, perhaps all, came to believe that Jesus was indeed God.