Today's Gospel in Art - The Disciples saw Jesus walking on the Lake

Le Christ marchant sur la Mer, by Pierre Amédée Varin 1872 © Christian Art

Gospel of 9th January 2021 - Mark 6:45-52

After the five thousand had eaten and were filled, Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to Bethsaida, while he himself sent the crowd away. After saying goodbye to them he went off into the hills to pray. When evening came, the boat was far out on the lake, and he was alone on the land. He could see they were worn out with rowing, for the wind was against them; and about the fourth watch of the night he came towards them, walking on the lake. He was going to pass them by, but when they saw him walking on the lake they thought it was a ghost and cried out; for they had all seen him and were terrified. But he at once spoke to them, and said, 'Courage! It is I! Do not be afraid.' Then he got into the boat with them, and the wind dropped. They were utterly and completely dumbfounded, because they had not seen what the miracle of the loaves meant; their minds were closed.

Reflection on the Painting

Today's reading follows on from the one we heard yesterday. After the five thousand were fed, Jesus let the disciples go ahead of him. They went in opposite directions: Jesus goes up to the mountain to pray whilst the disciples go toward the sea and get into the boat. Mark is perhaps painting the picture of what will happen in future: Jesus ascending upwards to Heaven, whilst the disciples have to get on, alone, attacked by the storms of the world, at night time.

No wonder the disciples were scared on their boat: Jesus was not with them in person, adverse winds roared, stormy seas arose, it is dark… Our painting by Varin captures especially well the night time. We have probably all felt like the disciples at times, tossed around in a small boat in the midst of storms. Jesus is asking us to trust in Him precisely in these moments, as He is always near and we too can ask Him to walk towards our little boat. Storms test us, shape us and train us, and if in those moments we ask Jesus to walk towards us and help us, then after we have come through the storms, maybe we will also have grown a little more to live in His image.

LINKS

Today's story: https://christian.art/en/daily-gospel-reading/662

Christian Art - www.christian.art/index.php