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Commentary on the Gospel for Thursday, January 9, 2025
“Courage, courage, my daughters; remember that God does not give anyone more burdens than they can bear, and His Majesty is with those who are troubled.” These words, written by Saint Teresa, beautifully illustrate the Gospel passage from Mark in today’s liturgy. A passage worth recalling, especially when we are tired of rowing against the wind and fear creeps in.
It’s a passage that I find somewhat humorous. Mark recounts that after Jesus fed the five thousand—a task that seems quite exhausting—He instructed His disciples to get into the boat and row toward Bethsaida, where He would meet them after dismissing the crowd. Afterward, it appears Jesus sought some solitude to pray. He got there ahead of them and, moved with compassion at seeing them struggle, went out to meet them… in a way that scared them even more than the stormy waves, because He approached by walking on the water! As if they hadn’t already been stunned when Jesus told them to feed the massive crowd. Their fear dissolved, though, when they heard a few simple yet powerful words capable of dispelling all anxiety: “Take courage; it is I.” And as He climbed into the boat, the wind died down.
When we feel weary and afraid in the face of life’s struggles and hardships, it’s so helpful to remember the Lord’s words: “Take courage; it is I. Do not be afraid.” Mark concludes by saying that the disciples were still in shock, their minds clouded by everything they had just experienced during the multiplication of the loaves.
We need to shake off that fog, recall the miracle that is our life, and recognize how God has been with us every step of the way. How many times has He rescued us from existential depths? How often have we, whether filled with fervor or experiencing dryness, seen the sea grow calm, the suffering subside, or what seemed like unbearable pain turn into peace? Obstacles have fallen, or our capacity to endure has grown. We must trust His word: the Lord is with us in both storm and calm. He is. He is here.