Across the Water

When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, got into a boat, and started across the lake to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The lake became rough because a strong wind was blowing. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the lake and coming near the boat, and they were terrified. But he said to them, ‘It is I; do not be afraid.’ Then they wanted to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the land towards which they were going.

 The next day the crowd that had stayed on the other side of the lake saw that there had been only one boat there. They also saw that Jesus had not got into the boat with his disciples, but that his disciples had gone away alone. Then some boats from Tiberias came near the place where they had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. So when the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum looking for Jesus.

 When they found him on the other side of the lake, they said to him, ‘Rabbi, when did you come here?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal.’  John 6:16-27

We will soon be traveling across the ocean. There is always both excitement and anxious anticipation for every trip. We don't row across

these days but we still know when rough times and turbulence are

around us, including physically, emotionally and spiritually. We want

to be carefully guided and not have to face scary obstacles.

The disciples are on the move and they are facing rough seas. Most nights are placid, but not this one. The isolation and fear overwhelm them. In the midst of their rough seas, Jesus shows himself with them, passing them by on the waters and calming everything and everyone down. We are reminded today that we are never alone, even on the worst rough seas and frightening times. God is very much in the center with us in our terror and fear.

Today, I ask God to help me recognize the divine loving presence even when I am overwhelmed and sacred. May we, when we are overcome, look for the love of God at the center with us.