He came toward them walking on the sea

THURDAY 9 JANUARY (Mk 6,45-52)

In Sacred Scripture, through the life of his men, God manifests and reveals how great his omnipotence is. But he also reveals the greatness of his men through both the Word they announce and also through the work they do. Of Moses it is said that no man has ever been as great as Him: “Now listen to the words of the Lord: Should there be a prophet among you, in visions will I reveal myself to him, in dreams will I speak to him; Not so with my servant Moses! Throughout my house he bears my trust: face to face I speak to him, plainly and not in riddles. The presence of the Lord he beholds. Why, then, did you not fear to speak against my servant Moses?” (Num 12,6-8). “Since then no prophet has arisen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face. He had no equal in all the signs and wonders the Lord sent him to perform in the land of Egypt against Pharaoh and all his servants and against all his land, and for the might and the terrifying power that Moses exhibited in the sight of all Israel” (Dt 34,10-12). Yet this great man of God never walked on water. The Lord denied him this glory, so that it was reserved only to Christ the Lord. Jesus is greater than Moses, infinitely greater.

Elijah was also great in words and deeds. It suffices to read what the Book of Sirach says about his Person: “Till like a fire there appeared the prophet whose words were as a flaming furnace. Their staff of bread he shattered, in his zeal he reduced them to straits; By God’s word he shut up the heavens and three times brought down fire. How awesome are you, Elijha! Whose glory is equal to yours? You brought a dead man back to life from the nether world, by the will of the Lord. You sent kings down to destruction, and nobles, from their beds of sickness. You heard threats at Sinai, at Horeb avenging judgments. You anointed kings who should inflict vengeance, and a prophet as your successor. You were taken aloft in a whirlwind, in a chariot with fiery horses. You are destined, it is written, in time to come to put an end to wrath before the day of the Lord, To turn back the hearts of fathers toward their sons, and to reestablish the tribes of Jacob. Blessed is he who shall have seen you before he dies” (Sir 48,1-11). This man is also very great. But he is not as big as Christ Jesus. He never even walked on the water. He raised a dead man. But he did not have this glory of possessing a body made as light as the breath of the wind. This glory belongs only to Christ the Lord.

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.

Manifesting himself as a breath of light wind that touches the surface of the waters, Jesus reveals himself to be greater than all the prophets and the righteous of the Old Testament. If Moses, Elias, Elisha have been recognized as true prophets of the Lord with the Word of God always on their lips, Jesus the Lord will have to be recognized much more. Even in the ways of working miracles, Jesus attests to the highest of the supreme. A single Word and all that he commands happens, is fulfilled. Now the disciples know the one who before them is: One who is greater than Moses, greater than Elijah and Elisha, greater than any man who preceded him. He can be believed as a true man of God, a true prophet of his, a true sent of his. Not only does Jesus walk on water. As soon as he gets on the boat, the wind instantly subsides and the disciples can reach the shore. Very high revelation!

Mother of God, Angels and Saints arrange that Christians convince the world with their works.