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Christmas Reflection - Memorial of St. John Neumann, Bishop
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January 5, 2022Following Epiphany, it’s no surprise we hear stories of Jesus’ power. Today, he walks on water. When Jesus saw the disciples rowing against a hard wind he set out across the waves, I would presume, to rescue them. Then we encounter a curious detail: “He meant to pass them by.” Maybe he intended for them to finish the crossing on their own power while he cheered them on. Whatever the plan, when the disciples caught sight of Jesus, they thought it was a ghost and the were not just afraid, they were terrified. Jesus quickly changed course calling out “Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid!” He jumped in the boat with them, and the wind died down.
The disciples were astounded, but maybe not from the obvious novelty of their leader walking on water. In this story and yesterday’s on feeding the multitude, Jesus seems to expect the disciples to respond to challenges on their own. Yesterday, he said, “Give them some food yourselves” (Mk 6: 37) and today, to cross the water on their own. Jesus has more confidence in these people than they do themselves.
In following Jesus, praying with him, listening to him, they disciples were equipped to proclaim the Good News, but didn’t yet know it. In today’s first lesson we hear, “There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear (1 Jn 4: 18), maybe the author remembered the story about Jesus walking on the water. Jesus, Perfect Love, will lead and when we are paralyzed by fear, he gets in the boat with us.
