The Other Side

The Pharisees came and began to argue with him, asking him for a sign from heaven, to test him. And he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, ‘Why does this generation ask for a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to this generation.’ And he left them, and getting into the boat again, he went across to the other side. Now the disciples had forgotten to bring any bread; and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. And he cautioned them, saying, ‘Watch out—beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod.’ They said to one another, ‘It is because we have no bread.’ And becoming aware of it, Jesus said to them, ‘Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes, and fail to see? Do you have ears, and fail to hear? And do you not remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you collect?’ They said to him, ‘Twelve.’ ‘And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you collect?’ And they said to him, ‘Seven.’ Then he said to them, ‘Do you not yet understand?’ They came to Bethsaida. Some people brought a blind man to him and begged him to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village; and when he had put saliva on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, ‘Can you see anything?’ And the man looked up and said, ‘I can see people, but they look like trees, walking.’ Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again; and he looked intently and his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. Then he sent him away to his home, saying, ‘Do not even go into the village.’ Mark 8:11-26

Sometimes we just need to get away from the critics and the noise. And, sometimes we need to move away from where we are now to put things in perspective. When the disciples got in the boat with Jesus, they were able to talk about their lack and learn from him about having faith. Many times, when our faith is tested, we feel very much alone. Yet when we look back, when we give ourselves some distance, we can see the healing and the presence of the living God. Despite our frail and broken humanity, God is with us in our lack, in our storms and when we are overwhelmed with doubt and pain.

Great Creator, you are present always

in the mist that forms early in the morning

in the orange glows at the end of the day

and with us in our sorrow and our grief.

We can feel alone and totally forgotten

we lose our faith when the critics rise up

yet you never give up on us in hard times

and are always ready to take us to another shore.

Lord Jesus, restore our faith and our trust

we need your strength more and more

give us the sustenance today to face tomorrow

and help us as we journey closer to you. Amen.