IN TOTAL CHARGE

During the Easter season, the lectionary takes us on a journey through the Acts of the apostles every day at mass. We hear all about the very earliest preaching in the church, and how the first Christian communities were formed and grew, spreading outward from Jerusalem.

So I found it interesting that two gospel passages to the end of this week invited us to turn our gaze back toward Jesus in a particular way.

First, on Friday, we heard John’s account of the miracle of the loaves and fishes. What is unique about John’s account, making it different from the account in the other three gospels is this: the other three gospels have Jesus blessing the bread and handing it to the  apostles to distribute to the crowd. So the miracle takes place in their hands. But John’s version says simply “Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them to those who were reclining.” The entire miracle happens not in the hands of the disciples but in the hands of Jesus. This detail, of course, fits in with John’s whole theology, emphasizing that Jesus is the Divine Word, the Son of God.

Second, at mass today, Saturday, we hear the episode that follows immediately upon the miracle of the loaves and fishes, when Jesus comes walking on the wind-swept waves toward the boat in which his disciples are rowing. “They saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they began to be afraid. But he said to them, 'It is I. do not be afraid.' They wanted to take him into the boat, but the boat immediately arrived at the shore, to which they were heading.” in this Christ-centered passage, Jesus tells the disciples “It is I.” this is clearly a reference to the book of Exodus, chapter 13, where God says of himself “I am.” It is hard to think of a more Christ-centered episode in all of the gospels. But don’t miss the second half of that same verse, “do not be afraid.” 

These two “Acts of Jesus”, it seems to me, offer a perfect balance to the emphasis on the "Acts of the Apostles" and of the other early Christians that we hear about in the first reading in the lectionary at daily mass. 

In both of these gospel episodes, Jesus is in total command of the situation:

 he takes charge of feeding five thousand people with five little loaves of bread, 

and overcomes the power of the strong wind to bring his disciples safely to shore.

I have been comforted and encouraged by the powerful presence of the risen Lord. Let us pray that we may all be able to hand over all of our troubles to the Risen One who can work such wonders in the lives of those who trust on him.