They had not understood the incident of the loaves. On the contrary, their hearts were hardened

9 JANUARY (Mk 6,45-52)

The Ancient Scriptures, through the Psalm, reveals us the omnipotence of the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, on nature and particularly on a stormy wind, which raises the waves and prevents any navigation. Well, this stormy wind is appeased by the Lord who hears the prayer of his faithful in the throes of great distress. Man prays and the Lord reduces the storm to a big silence. The waves of the sea keep fall silent on his command. The navigation can resume in confidence.

Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, For His lovingkindness is everlasting. Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the adversary And gathered from the lands, From the east and from the west, From the north and from the south. Those who go down to the sea in ships, Who do business on great waters; They have seen the works of the LORD, And His wonders in the deep. For He spoke and raised up a stormy wind, Which lifted up the waves of the sea. They rose up to the heavens, they went down to the depths; Their soul melted away in their misery. They reeled and staggered like a drunken man, And were at their wits’ end. Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, And He brought them out of their distresses. He caused the storm to be still, So that the waves of the sea were hushed. Then they were glad because they were quiet, So He guided them to their desired haven. Let them give thanks to the LORD for His lovingkindness, And for His wonders to the sons of men! Let them extol Him also in the congregation of the people, And praise Him at the seat of the elders. He changes rivers into a wilderness And springs of water into a thirsty ground; A fruitful land into a salt waste, Because of the wickedness of those who dwell in it. He changes a wilderness into a pool of water And a dry land into springs of water; And there He makes the hungry to dwell, So that they may establish an inhabited city. Who is wise? Let him give heed to these things, And consider the lovingkindnesses of the LORD. (Cf. Psalm 107 (106) 1-43).

With Jesus, there is no prayer, we witness no invocation. He sets foot on the boat and the wind ceases, it stops being stormy. The sea becomes a great calm. If they want, the disciples can open to a great faith in their Master. Not only does this walk on water as if it were dry land, he also owns the domain of winds and waves. Nature feels its desire for peace, and without any order being given, it instantly obeys its Lord, the Creator and God.

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. They were (completely) astounded. They had not understood the incident of the loaves. On the contrary, their hearts were hardened.

Every moment of the life of Jesus with his disciples is transformed into a powerful sign that attests, reveals, manifests its true essence. Never has any ancient prophet, not even Moses and all those who succeeded him in the religious history of Israel, acted as Lord Jesus acts. He is more than Moses, Joshua, Samuel, Nathan, Elijah, Elisha, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel and every other right and wise one of the Old Covenant.

The secret of Jesus is in his particular relationship with the Father and the Holy Spirit. In his humanity he is all inhabited by the Holy Spirit. His heart is in constant contact with the Father. He lives a relationship of perfect obedience with him. The greater the obedience is and the more the Father works through man. Since the obedience of Jesus is most holy, even his work is most holy. The Father has placed everything in the hands of the Son. The entire universe is called to an obedience which is equal to his towards the Father. After all this is the law, the relationship that exists between us, God and creation. Creation obeys us insofar as we obey God. Christ lives with the Father an obedience without reserve. Creation lives with him the same intensity and universality of obedience. Christ is everything of the Father. Creation is all of Jesus. Creation obeys only him who obeys God and according to the same extent.

Virgin Mary, Mother of the Redemption, Angels and Saints teach us true obedience.