The Catholic Calendar for Saturday, April 29, 2006
Saturday of the Second Week of Easter
St. Catherine of Siena

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Acts 6:1-7
Psalm 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19
John 6:16-21

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

"It is I. Do not be afraid."

It is dark. Your small boat is being rocked and cast about in the waves. The wind is brisk and the boat is hard to steer -- it doesn't want to obey the feeble rudder. You row as best you can, but you can't seem to get anywhere. And there are too many of you in the boat. And you are seemingly far from shore.

Out of nowhere someone appears, walking on the water. What can this be? What prodigy is this? What can it mean? Is it a spirit, a ghost, some monster of the water?

No, someone points out it is Jesus. Jesus? Jesus? How can it be Jesus? How can He walk on the water? This is strange and deeply disturbing!

And the Lord speaks, "It's Me. Don't be afraid." Still, a thrill of fear courses through you -- this is something you've never seen before. But, be still and hear him, "It's Me!"

Our lives are often like those rowboats in the dark. We are far from land, so far as we know, and the waves threaten to swamp us. And Jesus appears, walking on the water, as a colleague, a spouse, a child, a neighbor, or even a complete stranger. We're still afraid -- how can this be? But take heart, God answers the needs of those in prayer. God sees our plight and sends comfort. Jesus truly walks across the turbulent waters of our lives to give us solace, comfort and hope.

Do not be afraid. It is Jesus who comes to still the waters and lead us home.

- JuandelaCruz
(sriddle415 at yahoo dot com)