Working for Christ

He saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them. And about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea (Mark 6:48). I am moved, my beloved children, to contemplate Jesus using his divine power to do a wonderful miracle, in order to go out to meet his disciples who are exhausted by rowing against the wind, as they try to bring the boat to the place the Lord told them.

Aware of our own weakness

We too are carrying out an imperative command from Christ, sailing on a sea stirred up by human passions and errors and sometimes feeling all our weakness within us, yet firmly determined to bring to port this boat of salvation which the Lord has entrusted to us. Perhaps at times, when we see the force of the wind against us, there rises up from the depths of our hearts the voice of our human impotence: Be gracious to me, O God, for man tramples upon me; all day long an attacker oppresses me; my enemies trample on me all day long, for many attack me proudly (Ps 56[55]:1-2).

Jesus does not leave us

He does not leave us, and as often as necessary he has made his presence felt with his loving omnipotence, to fill the hearts of his children with peace and serenity. But immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I. Do not be afraid.” And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased (Mark 6:50-51).