Week 5 - Entrusting myself

Meditation Delft, 14-11-‘25

While the Lord was praying alone, the boat carrying the disciples in the midst of the sea was tossed with the waves, and they laboured in rowing, for the wind was contrary. Precisely when the disciples lacked Christ’s presence, they were subjected to trials. You can share their fear and tribulation: it was pitch dark, the storm was battering them, and the Lord was not with them all night long. And seeing them with his merciful eyes labouring in rowing, about the fourth watch of the night, Christ descended from the mountain and came to them walking upon the sea and drew near them. The fourth watch of the night, this meant just before dawn. The Lord allowed his disciples to experience danger to teach them patience. He did not help them immediately but allowed them to be tested all night long to teach them to wait patiently and not expect deliverance at the first sign of danger. At the first point of this meditation, observe how the Lord did not help them at the beginning of danger, but at the end. He allows us to find ourselves in the midst of trials so that we might become more praiseworthy through struggles, and so that we will have recourse to him who alone is able to deliver us when all seems lost. Divine help comes when human understanding realizes that it cannot provide for itself. Have you had situations like this?

Now watch the Lord, tired out from his lengthy vigil and prolonged prayer, as He descends the mountain by himself during the night. Barefoot, He laboriously makes his way down the rocky hillside. Share wholeheartedly in his effort! See how he walks onto the water with a firm step as if it were dry land. His feet do not sink, even though the water remains liquid and his body has its normal weight. And those seeing him walking upon the sea as he neared the boat were troubled with fright, thinking it was a ghost. Their fear betrayed how weak their faith was, so He would have passed by them. Imagine how Jesus comes to the disciples with their little faith.

But on the other hand, the kind Master did not want to have the disciples overwhelmed with fear, so He says: “Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid!” Jesus is able to deliver them from the dangerous waters. St. John Chrysostom says: ‘They dis not recognize him in the dark, but as soon as they knew his voice, their fear evaporated.’ And Theophylact of Ohrid writes: ‘Whenever we are frightened by either people or demons, let us hear Christ saying: It is I, fear not. That is: I always help. As God, I remain and can never pass away. Do not let false terrors make you lose faith in me.’ Let us pause to contemplate on the Lord’s presence in the midst of trials and see how He calms the wind around us.

Inner conversation.

Jesus walks on the sea

St Mark writes about this in the sixth chapter (Mk. 6, 45-51a).

Then he made his disciples get into the boat and precede him to the other side toward Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. And when he had taken leave of them, he went off to the mountain to pray. When it was evening, the boat was far out on the sea and he was alone on shore. Then he saw that they were tossed about while rowing, for the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them. But when they saw him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost and cried out. They had all seen him and were terrified. But at once he spoke with them, “Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid!” He got into the boat with them and the wind died down.

Preparatory prayer. Ask God our Lord for the grace that all my intentions, actions and spiritual works may be purely directed towards the service and praise of His divine Majesty.

First introduction. The story. Jesus walks on the sea.

Second introduction. Seeing the place. A composition. Imagine the disciples in the boat, in the midst of the sea.  

Third introduction. Asking what I desire. Here it will be: inner knowledge of the Lord, who became man for me, in order to love and follow Him more.

First point. Jesus went off to the mountain to pray.  

Second point. Jesus came toward the disciples walking on the sea.

Third point. Jesus says: “Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid!”

Conversation. At the end, you have an inner conversation. You reflect on what you want to say to the three divine persons, or to the incarnate eternal Word, or to his Mother, Our Lady. According to what you feel within yourself, you ask what will help you to follow our Lord more closely and to act according to his example. Then we pray an Our Father.