The story of Jesus walking on water is one that is included in three out of the four Gospel narratives and like most of the major events in Jesus’ life and ministry; the story varies depending on who is telling the tale.
The incident starts out the same way: Jesus has just fed the multitudes and goes off to pray while his disciples head out in a boat and find themselves on a restless sea. In all three versions, Jesus knows their craft is in distress and defies gravity by walking on the water toward them. It is a move that freaks everyone out in Mark, causes Peter to demand equal super powers in Matthew and takes and ethereal turn in John when the disciples (sans Jesus) miraculously arrive at their destination even though they were only a few miles from the shore of their departure. Although Matthew and Mark are the only ones who make reference to a “ghost,” John’s version actually feels more like a ghost story doesn’t it? Maybe that’s why we reserve it for the post-Easter season. There is something abstract and other worldly about it. Of course when you think about it, that’s kind of John’s brand.
To put it in the musical terms I am so fond of, I look at it this way: Mark’s gospel is like “Meet the Beatles,” a fun, bare bones account of Jesus’s life. Matthew and Luke are in turn “Rubber Soul” and “Revolver.” They seem like two halves of the same thing that give Christians something more expansive and exploratory to sink their teeth into. But let’s face it, John’s Gospel is the “Sgt. Pepper” of the Bible – something so unique and so different from the other three, we don’t even know how much we need it until we experience it for ourselves. John’s Gospel is a cerebral journey into the divine. It is full of big ideas that are hard to wrap your brain around at times. You can’t read it once and just “get it.” It’s not a day in the life…but a long, and winding road and it keeps getting better all the time. (For those who do not care for the comparison to the Fab Four’s discography, that’s fine. I stand by the analogy that works for me.)
Today’s gospel story is excellent example of the genius of John and in a strange way, it offers the most concise summation of what to expect from our walk with Christ – especially in the post-Easter era when we must take on faith what those early disciples experienced in real time: Although we may feel confident at the beginning of our journey, there’s a lot of material to cover. It’s not always smooth sailing, but when we find ourselves in times of trouble, Jesus has a way of showing up just when we need him the most. And as long as we put our trust in him, without fear of the outcome…He’ll get us where he wants us to go.
Where does he want to take you?
Today’s readings for Mass: ACTS 6:1-7; PS 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19; JN 6:16-21
