Br. Luke Ditewig

Mark 6:45-52

I would have been terrified, too, seeing a figure on the waves. Scared amid rowing against the wind. Exhausted from long, unending service. Resenting losing the promised day off. Jesus had to the disciples: “Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while,” because they were so busy serving people it was hard for the disciples to eat.

But people saw them head out to a deserted place, and soon thousands surrounded them. With compassion, Jesus taught the crowds. From five loaves and two fish, Jesus fed the crowds. All ate and were filled. That was yesterday’s text, prior to what we just heard: “Immediately he made his disciples get in the boat and go on ahead.” Jesus saw the disciples on the lake straining against a wind. With compassion, Jesus saw and came to be with. I am here. Don’t be afraid.

God sees and comes to be with us as a human including hearts hardened by fear, exhaustion, disaster, tragedy, loss, anger, and grief. God keeps coming including when don’t recognize or understand.

There’s the story of a group of children rescued in a war. They had lost much and had many reasons to be afraid. They also had trouble going to sleep. An adult caregiver got another loaf of bread from supper, went around tearing off a piece and handing to each child in bed saying: “Hold onto this. We fed you tonight. We’ll feed you tomorrow. Go to sleep.” What have you received? What are you thankful for? And what hurts? What are you not thankful for?[i] Pray them both. Pray pain and gratitude. Hold onto gratitude. As Dennis, Sheila, and Matthew Linn write: This is your “heart-bread.” Hold onto it, and see Jesus who already sees, comes, feeds, and holds you.

[i] The story and these questions are from: Dennis, Sheila and Matthew Linn. (1995) Sleeping With Bread: Holding What Gives You Life. Paulist Press. Their children’s book (2006) Making Heart-Bread is great for teaching kids. Both instruct the Examen, a classic form of prayer from Ignatius, founder of the Jesuits.