Reading I
1 Jn 4:11-18
Beloved, if God so loved us,
we also must love one another.
No one has ever seen God.
Yet, if we love one another, God remains in us,
and his love is brought to perfection in us.
This is how we know that we remain in him and he in us,
that he has given us of his Spirit.
Moreover, we have seen and testify
that the Father sent his Son as savior of the world.
Whoever acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God,
God remains in him and he in God.
We have come to know and to believe in the love God has for us.
God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him.
In this is love brought to perfection among us,
that we have confidence on the day of judgment
because as he is, so are we in this world.
There is no fear in love,
but perfect love drives out fear
because fear has to do with punishment,
and so one who fears is not yet perfect in love.
Gospel
Mk 6:45-52
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.
Meditation: Mark 6:45-52
He went off to the mountain to pray. (Mark 6:46)
If we were asked what stands out the most about today’s reading, this verse might not be the one we’d pick. We might highlight instead the verses where Jesus came to the apostles’ rescue, effortlessly walking on the water and calming the wind. We might say how wonderful it is that Jesus demonstrated his power in such a spectacular fashion, leaving no doubt that he was the answer to the apostles’ doubt and distress.
Miracles naturally get our attention, but the fact that Jesus prayed is no less significant. It means that although he was divine, he also chose to submit to his Father. Mark tells us that Jesus got up early in the morning to pray in a “deserted place” (Mark 1:35). Clearly, Jesus was careful never to do anything unless he knew it was in line with his Father’s will and his plan for our salvation.
What about us? If Jesus felt the need to pray, how much more do we need this contact with God! When we don’t pray at all, we are sidetracked by the first distraction that comes our way. When we pray only sporadically, we may give up too easily and not take the time to hear the Lord. But if we follow Jesus’ example of getting away from the crowds regularly and seeking God’s presence, we are more likely to see measurable results. Even if we don’t see a miracle, or if our problems don’t disappear right away, we can be at peace knowing that Jesus is in the boat with us, calming the storms in our hearts and building up our faith.
Sometimes we see the glory of God during a time of crisis or emergency. But other times we find the Lord when life is going smoothly and everything is as calm as a quiet, placid lake. Both experiences, of course, are valid, but wisdom tells us not to wait for a time of emergency to find the Lord. It’s best to seek him out every day. He wants you to become a messenger of his truth and love. You don’t have to walk on water to bring Christ into someone’s life—but you do have to pray!
“Lord, show me how to ‘get away’ to be with you. Give me the grace to seek you not just in the storms but every day. Lord, I want to find you!”
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