Utterly Astounded - March 25

Today’s Readings: AM Psalm 95 [for the Invitatory] 88; PM Psalm 91, 92; Gen. 47:1-26; 1 Cor. 9:16-27; Mark 6:47-56

Today’s Reflection

When he saw that they were straining at the oars against an adverse wind, he came towards them early in the morning, walking on the lake. He intended to pass them by. But when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought it was a ghost and cried out; for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, ‘Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.’ Then he got into the boat with them and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded. –Mark 6: 48-51

This week I was in a discussion group on Zoom that met three times over the course of the week. We were learning about a new model for incorporating seekers and newcomers into Christian communities of faith. And we were learning by doing, experiencing a glimpse into the course by immersing ourselves as participants would. So, the first thing one does in this course is to go around the group and respond to the prompt, “What has been the heart of your week?”

One day we responded to a variation on this, “What has been the heart of Lent for you this year?” As we went around and shared, when I decided to share, I said that the heart of Lent for me this year is trust. I shared how this year the season of Lent is coinciding with a season in life in which I am looking for a new home for my family. And as I shared with the group, as someone who likes to have a plan, it is hard not to know where we will be living when our lease ends later this spring. For those who have experienced the process of finding a new home, there are many unknowns and many factors that seem beyond our control. You may find just the right home, but it is all still in the seller’s hands as to whether they will accept your offer or someone else’s. All of this is to say, there is much to feel stressed and worried about when finding a new home. In other words, there are many opportunities to put our trust in God.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus is out for his morning walk—walking on the water, as only Jesus could do! He wasn’t planning to stop by to hang out with his friends out on their boat, but when he saw that they were rowing into some harsh winds and then were feeling even more panicked when they thought they saw a ghost (Jesus walking on the water), Jesus decided to make a detour on his morning walk: “But immediately he spoke to them and said, ‘Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.’ Then he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded.” What Jesus did is instructive: 1) he set aside his own plans, 2) he shared words of comfort, and most importantly 3) he made a point to get into the boat with them. This last part is especially key to building trust. While Jesus’ words, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid,” were surely comforting to his friends, what ultimately set them at ease and helped them to truly believe that everything would be OK was Jesus getting to the boat with them. It was then that the waves of worry ceased.

But what is left unstated in this story that seems important to consider is that his friends let Jesus get into the boat with them—even though, at first, they thought he was a ghost! Sometimes someone may come toward us wanting to help and we may, out of our own fears or sense of wanting to take care of things for ourselves, not let them get into the boat with us. So, while Jesus’ friends are depicted in the story as being kind of helpless and overwhelmed, they did do one very important thing: when Jesus came toward them, even though they were scared and confused, they let Jesus get into the boat with them. And when they did, they began to see more clearly (so much that they were utterly astounded!) that they could trust that Jesus would always be with them.

Becky+

Questions for Reflection

Recall a time when it felt difficult to trust in Jesus or in another person. What happened that restored your sense of trusting in Jesus or in your companion? What can you do in your relationships with others that would help strengthen the sense of mutual trust?

Daily Challenge

I preached my sermon on the first Sunday of Lent all around the idea about Lent being about trust, our trusting God as well as developing trusting relationships with others by sharing our stories with one another. You can listen to the sermon again here.