Self or Others

Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray.

When evening came, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, because they all saw him and were terrified. – Mark 6: 45-50

Here’s the story of Jesus walking on water again.

What a show off.

But this telling of it is interesting. Or perhaps I just didn’t notice it the other times I read it.

The reading today starts off with Jesus trying to get some quiet time for himself and his disciples. The twelve disciples have come back from the mission Jesus sent them on to preach throughout Israel. As they are trading war stories they are bombarded by all kinds of folks.

So Jesus says ok, let’s bounce to a remote place so we can get some peace and get a bite to eat.

As they are in a boat making their exit five thousand men (as well as untold numbers of women and children) run to their destination and get there first.

Drats. Ok… I guess now Jesus has to preach to them and feed them all with a miracle.

Done.

So then finally when the people are physically and spiritually fed Jesus gets to pray alone. But then when he’s done he sees his disciples on the water trying to row against the wind.

Sigh…

So Jesus catches up to them on foot, (walking on water of course) gets in the boat, and then the wind dies down. Finally they can be on their merry way.

What a day!

I like how Jesus managed to take care of everything. He started the day wanting to find some peace and quiet and he ended up finding it. Along the way thousands were fed.

Most of us have a hard time striking that balance. Either we take care of others to the detriment of self, or we look after self to the detriment of others.

This day in the life of

Jesus shows us that this balance is possible. One should not be done at the expense of the other.

Rather, if we are on the right path, there will be ample room in our lives to take care of others and ourselves.

Today’s Reading: Numbers 17-19; Mark 6: 30-56