FaithICSRA15

=**January 7, 2015 Gospel **=

**Mark 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, <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">they thought it was a ghost and cried out. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">They had all seen him and were terrified. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">But at once he spoke with them, <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">“Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid!” <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">He got into the boat with them and the wind died down. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">They were completely astounded. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">They had not understood the incident of the loaves. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">On the contrary, their hearts were hardened.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Summary
<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">This occured after the feeding of the five-thousand, and Jesus was tired, so he sent the Apostles ahead to the Hebrew town of Bethsaidia. While they were in the boat, Jesus went to pray to God. While Jesus was praying, the boat the Apostles were in a large storm. At night, they spotted Jesus trying to sneak by them on the water. They saw him and were scared, so Jesus told them that immediately it was Him, and to not be afraid. They let Him in the boat, so the storm ended, and the Apostles were amazed at what had just happened.

Reflection
In today's gospel passage, Jesus and the Apostles had just returned from the famous miracle of the feeding of the five thousand. Now Jesus at the time was not as known as he was when he died, because he had just started his ministry in Judah. When Jesus started to walk on the water, he did not want to be known that he was doing that. But, like human nature intended it to be, the Apostles saw him they were scared. Would you be scared if you saw Jesus?

As followers of Jesus, we are called by the Church to not be afraid of Jesus if he does his supernatural things. In fact, we should probably praise Him when he does this. He does this because of us anyway. So really if you are scared of Jesus, you are scared of yourself.

Prayer
O God, who gave us our nature to seek after things of great importance, help us to seek after the greatest importance of all, You, like the Apostles did. Help us to not be scared of your infinite and amazing power. Amen.