Gospel (Jn 6:16-21)

When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The sea rose because a strong wind was blowing. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near to the boat. They were frightened, but he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.”

Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.

Commentary

After considering the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fish in yesterday’s Liturgy, today we see another marvelous event: Jesus coming to the disciples in the middle of a storm by walking on the water.

Our Lord’s amazing action once again shows his power over nature, and once again surprises the apostles, whose faith is still weak.

The book of Exodus narrates the departure from Egypt of the people of Israel, who crossed the Red Sea on foot thanks to God’s action through Moses. In today’s Gospel scene, Jesus shows himself to be greater than the “greatest of the prophets,” since he doesn’t even need to separate the waters to come to the boat when it is in trouble.

Christians of all times, preceded and also represented by the disciples in the boat who were afraid, need God’s power not to succumb to the storm. Saint Thomas of Aquinas said, when commenting on words of Saint Augustine, that if our faith in God’s action is strong, “the wind, the storm, the waves and the darkness will not cause the boat to deviate from its course and be destroyed.”

The boat represents the Church, apparently weak in the face of great storms, but always staying afloat thanks to the one who is guiding it: ultimately, Christ himself.