Daily Gospel Reflection for April 17, 2021

Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

Today's Gospel: John 6:16-21

“It is I.”

I tried to keep reading, but I just couldn’t concentrate on the rest of the passage. Sometimes this happens when I pray with scripture. It typically means God’s Word has come alive, and there’s something specific He wants to tell me. So I allowed myself to sit with these verses a little longer…

I learned that the story of Jesus walking on water occurs in three of the four Gospels. In each narrative the details differ slightly, but the important events remain the same. The disciples are sailing across the sea as they encounter a strong, opposing wind that turns their short journey into a long, difficult and slow moving one. Jesus sees their struggle and goes to them by walking on water, a miraculous act that sparks fear in the disciples. Jesus sees their fear and offers the same reassuring and comforting response in all three Gospels: “It is I.”

A mere 5 letters. Only 3 words. A re-introduction.

Jesus, shouldn’t the disciples recognize you more easily? You’ve already spent so much time together.

The contrast between the first and second parts of their journey is not insignificant. A slow-going struggle at sea before … but a quick and more peaceful journey after.

And in the middle? The turning point? A re-introduction, “It is I.”

And then I hear His voice. A quiet whisper, filled with love …
Do you know Me?
When things get tough, do you always remember Me?
Or sometimes, do you forget Me?

Ponder:

When I find myself in challenging situations, where I feel like I'm fighting because the wind is against me, could this be a sign that I've forgotten Jesus, His goodness and His love?

Pray:

Lord, help me each day to remain close to You, desiring Your nearness above all else. And when I start to struggle, help me to quickly pause so I can once again seek Your face.

Copyright 2021 Jennifer Scheuermann