Call Out In Faith
This is one of times where it makes sense to read the gospel story before today’s gospel. The gospel before today has to do with feeding the five thousand, with food left over. Mark is the ‘hurry up’ gospel. Mark always seems to be in a rush. Here, Marks tells us that Jesus sent the disciples ahead and he would catch up later. Jesus needed time to pray. When Jesus looks across the sea of Galilee, he notices that there is a rough wind and the disciples were in trouble. Jesus walks on to the sea and towards them. The disciples think they are seeing a ghost or an apparition. Unusual is that Mark tells us Jesus is going to walk right past them until they call out to Him. Why would Jesus walk past them?
The last line of today’s gospel gives us a clue. It says, “They had not understood the incident of the loaves. On the contrary, their hearts were hardened.” The disciples had just witnessed a miracle. But they still did not acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah. They could have asked Jesus for help as He approached but they did not. They wanted to see what He would do. In a sense, this is a very passive aggressive model of manipulation. Trying to make someone do what you want them to do without asking puts you in a higher position of authority. Jesus would not have it. If you do not call out to Jesus in faith He does not respond. Listen to the stories of Jesus healing people. He often comments “Your faith has saved you.” Call out to Jesus today.
May the Lord bless you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen