Reflection
Today’s gospel text begins with a phrase often overlooked – namely ‘Jesus had crossed again in a boat to the other side”
Two reflections might help us shape our practice of faith and spiritual reflection this day.
Firstly, let us notice that the mission of Jesus couldn’t have occurred in the manner it did, without the assistance – real and measurable – of the ‘middle class of his day i.e. the fisherfolk. Peter, his companions and their families, were business leaders of his day – they were wealthy, they employed people, they owned boats and managed the supply of fish to various towns across the Sea of Galilee. Given that fish was one of the two primary staple foods of their day, it was a significant industry. The disciples were rich enough in time, freedom and resources to support, house, transport and accompany Jesus across the three years of his public life.
Today, we – from our resources of talent, time and capacity can carry him across – not across oceans necessarily – but across cultures, traditions, generations so that his message and healing presence might be known by many.
However, it is the phrase ‘crossing over’ that leads me to draw hope and meaning from the life of Jesus.
Jesus often ‘crossed over’.
Jesus not only crossed the sea to towns and places ‘on the other shores’, but in every dimension of his ministry
Jesus ‘crossed over’ from what was familiar and safe to situations and places where he was ridiculed or even persecuted for reaching out to others.
Jesus ‘crossed over’ when he defied conventions and accepted practices to stand with another in their suffering or exclusion.
Jesus ‘crossed over’ when he defied illness, evil and prejudices in order to heal and forgive others.
Ultimately Jesus ‘crossed over’ from death to life.
Likewise, we can allow him to cross over to meet us wherever we are, or indeed accompany him so that he can cross over to heal and redeem others.
