SAINT ANDRÉ BESSETTE, RELIGIOUS (OPTIONAL MEMORIAL)

He got into the boat with them. 

Why does Mark say that the disciples “had not understood the incident of the loaves” (6:52)? They were with him when he multiplied the bread and the fishes. They even had a hand in the miracle! Apparently it was because they hadn’t yet realized the significance of this event. Jesus could do things like this because he was the Son of God and because he wanted to feed and care for his flock.

Still, despite their lack of understanding, Jesus didn’t give up on them. He made that clear when he walked across the stormy sea, “got into the boat with them,” and saved them from drowning (Mark 6:51). That second miracle must have illuminated their minds and helped them to comprend better Jesus’ divine power and intentions.

Sometimes we are like those disciples: we don’t understand what God is doing or why. Maybe we don’t notice him working in a situation, and we start to doubt whether we can count on him. Or perhaps we don’t realize how much we need him when we’re in a storm. But Jesus knows our limitations. Instead of getting annoyed with us and distancing himself, he gets into our boat—not only into the specific situation but into our feelings and thoughts as well.

What might it look like when God gets into your boat? Maybe you’re feeling overwhelmed one morning at the thought of all you have to accomplish that day. But then you come to prayer, and you experience a deep sense of peace. Or perhaps you can’t understand why one of your children seems to resent you. But then God helps you understand why your child is feeling that way, and you realize your need to reconcile. Or you and your spouse might be disagreeing about an important issue, but then Jesus opens your heart to see things from his or her point of view.

Jesus wants to get into your boat. He wants to encourage you and support you when you’re struggling to understand. He wants to come alongside you, just as he did his first disciples. So today, invite him in, and be open to how he might want to reveal himself to you.

“Jesus, thank you for getting into my boat with me. Come more deeply into my heart and life today.”

1 John 4:11-18
Psalm 72:1-2, 10, 12-13
Mark 6:45-52

WORD AMONG US