Jesus’ constant, patient and saving presence

As Jesus appeared on the scene in Galilee teaching a new message that he called the good news, people asked the question: “By whose authority do you presume to teach? Where do you and your message come from?” Jesus, knowing that his words alone were not enough to convince everyone of his authority, combined them with wondrous actions and deeds that would earn him credibility in people’s eyes. Our Gospel passage today is one of those shows of power meant to reinforce the faith of his disciples. As Jesus walked across the water, as he calmed the turbulent waters, the disciples were given a powerful insight into his identity.

An important image that is prominent in our passage today is a boat. In 1986, the level of the Sea of Galilee was extraordinarily low. An ancient fishing vessel that had been buried in the mud was discovered. Carbon 14 tests concluded that the boat had been built between the years 40 BC and 70 AD. No one has claimed that this is the exact boat used by Jesus and his disciples; but it does give us a picture of the boat used on the Sea of Galilee at that time.

Boats have been prominent in the history of Christianity. Jesus preached from a boat to the crowds gathered along the shore. It was by sea that Peter traveled to Rome and established it as the seat of Christianity. It was by sea that Paul traveled around the Mediterranean region, evangelizing in the name of Jesus Christ. It was by sea that missionaries in every age after Paul have taken the

FAITH FUNDAMENTALS | FATHER MICHAEL VAN SLOUN