Mark 6:45-52

Reflection

After feeding the five thousand, Jesus has the disciples drop him off by boat near a mountain to pray in solitude. That evening, the disciples are still in the boat, getting tossed by the wind. Jesus proceeds to walk on the water towards them, and when they become frightened at this ‘ghostly’ figure, he gets into the boat and the wind dies down.

Jesus, while a long way off, sees his disciples in distress. Yet he is not spiritually distant from them. The same goes for us. During times of distress and struggle, we might think that Jesus is far away in heaven, not paying attention to our difficulties. But he is right here by our side, aware of our pain and suffering. If we let him into our hearts, he can calm the storm occurring in our lives.

Will we be afraid when Jesus approaches us with his loving embrace, or will we invite him into our hearts and lives? Ask the Lord for courage and an increase of love and trust in him.

Saint of the Day

St. Angela of Foligno: 1248 – 1309

“O children of God, become totally transformed into the God-Man in love, who loved you to the point of deigning to die for you in an extremely ignominious, totally and ineffable painful, painful and bitter death. And this only for love of you!” St. Angela of Foligno