Daily Reflection – 1/8/2020
Sacred Scripture
After the five thousand had eaten and were satisfied, Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and precede him to the other side toward Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. And when he had taken leave of them, he went off to the mountain to pray. When it was evening, the boat was far out on the sea and he was alone on shore. Then he saw that they were tossed about while rowing, for the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them. But when they saw him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost and cried out. They had all seen him and were terrified. But at once he spoke with them, “Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid!” He got into the boat with them and the wind died down. They were completely astounded. They had not understood the incident of the loaves. On the contrary, their hearts were hardened. (Mark 6:45-52)
Reflection
All of us have experienced emotional “storms” that overwhelm us. It may have been an illness, the loss of a loved one, the loss of a job, or a financial crisis. Violent storms are not easy to weather. And even once the storm has blown over, these storms typically leave us with a residue of pain, loss, confusion, and anxiety.
What storm in your life do you remember? Take a moment and reflect on that experience. Who supported you during this difficult time? Who journeyed with you? Was Jesus with you in this experience? Did you sense His presence and care? Or did you feel alone and perhaps abandoned?
The Lord keeps watch over us at all times, and especially in our moments of temptation and difficulty. Do you rely on the Lord for his strength and help? Jesus assures us that we have no need of fear if we trust in Him and in his great love for us.
He wishes to teach us that even when we are in very pressurized and difficult situations, he is nearby, ready to help us; but he expects us to make an effort, to strengthen our hope and temper our resolve. As an early Greek commentator puts it: “The Lord allowed his disciples to enter danger to make them suffer, and he did not immediately come to their aid; he left them in peril for the whole night, to teach them to be patient and not to be accustomed to receiving immediate succor in tribulation.”
We do know and believe that Jesus is with us! However, we may not experience a tangible sense of His presence. However, Jesus often comes to us in various guises. It might be a friend who calls or a song that plays on the radio that speak to us. Perhaps we experience Jesus in looking at the bare trees of winter or watching the snow quietly fall from the heavens.
When God comes to us in the storms of our life – the busyness, the pain, the anxiety, the trouble, the brokenness, the insecurities – do we listen for Him beckoning to us to come to Him? And if we hear Him calling, do we have the courage to step out of the boat and walk on water? Do you have courage to do whatever Jesus asks of you, even if it means stepping out into the unknown??
Our part is to look deeply for Jesus. He is with us! However, we need to be awake and alert. Today open your eyes and hearts. Jesus will come today. Will we see Him and recognize Him?
Prayer of The Day
“Lord, may I never doubt your saving help and your ever-watchful presence, especially in times of adversity. Fortify my faith with courage and my hope with perseverance that I may never waver in my trust in you”.
Daily Note
God made you to walk on water. God wants to pass by us (reveal Himself to us). Even during the storms. Even during the time we struggle to move against the wind. Even in the middle of the night – God comes. Will you walk on water? Will you let Him into your boat?
