DYNAMIS!
A publication of St. George Orthodox Christian Cathedral
Wichita, KS
St. John 6:14-27 (5/10) CHRIST IS RISEN! Gospel for Saturday of the Week of
Thomas
Right Perceptions: St. John 6:14-27, especially vs. 27: “Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for
the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you,
because God the Father has set His seal on Him.” Seven
‘signs’ form the first half of
Between the two encounters,
First, observe that this appearance of Christ
during a storm on the sea of Galilee is the one,
single sign of the seven that was not ‘public’ in nature. It occurred solely between the Faithful
and the Master. On the other hand,
the feeding of the multitude was the most public of the Lord’s signs,
involving the largest assembly of people ever to witness His powers.
By coming to the Disciples during a storm, the
Lord Jesus conveys a message for us in the community of the Faith. Observe three truths: 1) there are worse
dangers for the Church than nature’s violence. 2) In dread circumstances the Christian
community should expect the Lord to appear and to receive Him gladly. 3) God’s purposes rank first in
the Church’s priorities.
When the Lord came, it was night (vs.
17). The sea was being tossed by
strong wind (vs. 18). Little
progress had been made by human effort at rowing (vs. 19). In St. Matthew and St. Mark’s
accounts of this event, we learn that the fear of the disciples coalesced
exactly when the Lord appeared, for they believed they were seeing a phantasm,
a spirit of foreboding doom (Mt. 14:26; Mk. 6:49). Being thus deluded, they were afraid for
their lives (vs. 19).
But notice that there really are two
great “disturbances” in the reading: 1) the violence of nature, and
a mounting social uprising. Beside
a storm on the sea, a second, more ominous situation was developing. Large crowds were pursuing the Lord,
mobs of people subjugated by the Romans, people who wanted independence and
would make Jesus their king, if necessary, by force (vs. 15). The storm at sea functions as a type of
this explosive social movement.
Look carefully at where the Lord focuses
attention: on the inward peace of the disciples! His announcement, “It is I,”
literally reads, “I Am.”
He declares His Divinity, which He then follows with an assurance,
“do not be afraid!” (vs. 20). There are worse dangers for the Church
than violence in nature. Greatest
of these must be counted loss of trust in God. Let us meet fear by imploring the Lord
to come among us: “O God, save Thy people and bless Thine
inheritance.”
In the linking of a natural and a social
disturbance, we see Who is in charge. The crowds wanted Jesus as king. They were ready to “take
control” and “make” Him their ruler, but the disciples in
weakness were simply happy, yea, overjoyed to receive Him in their midst. Beloved, never lose heart nor give in to
fear, but ever affirm: “Christ is among us.” Above all, let us never seek to impose
our will on the Master. He is King;
He is all powerful; He will defend us.
So then, learn from Him to live by His prayer: “Not as I will; but
as you will” (Mt. 26:39).
O Lord direct our lives according to Thy
commandments, sanctify our souls, hallow our bodies, correct our thoughts,
cleanse our minds; deliver us from all tribulation, evil and distress.