A reading from the gospel according to John 6:16-21:
16 When it was evening, the disciples of Jesus went down to the sea,
17 embarked in a boat, and went across the sea to Capernaum. It had already grown dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them.
18 The sea was stirred up because a strong wind was blowing.
19 When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they began to be afraid.
20 But he said to them, “It is I. Do not be afraid.”
21 They wanted to take him into the boat, but the boat immediately arrived at the shore to which they were heading.
Reflection: Faith during Storm
Previously, Jesus performed the miracle of the multiplication of bread. It is expected that the faith of His disciples should have gone to the next level after they have witnessed His power to provide for their needs even in difficult times. In this particular gospel reading, He showed them another aspect of His power, that is, He can actually walk on water and that He can put even the sea under His feet.
Yet the disciples began to be afraid after seeing it was the Lord! Did they think He was a ghost or a monster? To calm them, Jesus introduced Himself and told them not to be afraid.
In this episode, there are two important lessons for us. First, not all of us can develop a strong faith overnight. It took time for the disciples to fully believe in Jesus and to trust in His power. So let us be patient with ourselves and others. Like the apostles, let us ask the Lord to increase our faith (Luke 17:5).
Second, by walking on the sea, Jesus is telling us that He is in control. With His presence in our lives, there is absolutely no need to be afraid even when the strongest storm will rock our boat. His grace and mercy are sufficient enough to bring us safely to the shore.
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In the gospel reading above, we find a powerful narrative of Jesus walking on water. This passage offers a profound message about faith, fear, and the presence of God in our lives.
As the disciples rowed across the Sea of Galilee at night, a strong wind arose, and the waters grew turbulent. In their struggle against the wind and waves, they saw Jesus walking on the water toward them, and they were terrified. But His words to them were clear and reassuring: “It is I; do not be afraid.”
This gospel narrative is not just a testament to the miraculous power of Jesus but a reminder to us in our most challenging moments. Like the disciples, we often find ourselves facing the “winds” and “waves” of our own lives including circumstances that threaten to overwhelm us and stir up fear within our hearts.
Jesus’s approach to the disciples in their time of need teaches us that He is always moving towards us, especially in our most troubled times. His presence is a constant and calming force, even when it may not be immediately apparent. His words, “It is I,” remind us that He is always with us, echoing the promise that He will never leave us nor forsake us.
The encouragement to “not be afraid” is a call to maintain our faith amidst fear. It urges us to recognize that our Savior is not a distant observer but an active presence looking to support and guide us through life’s storms.
Let this passage inspire all of us to trust more deeply in the Lord. Remember that when we are buffeted by life’s winds, we are never alone. Jesus is always at our side, offering peace amidst turmoil. Let us turn to Him, recognize His presence, and let our fears be transformed into faith. With Jesus, even the windiest storms can be navigated with confidence and peace.
You may also watch the video version below.
