Pentecost X
More miracles -- maybe. What is a 'miracle' for?
Last week we had the story of the feeding of the 5000 in Matthew. This week, Jesus and the disciples have finished with that gathering, are tired again, and set out for other places, perhaps rest and restoration. Jesus needs a break from the disciples, too -- '...you all get in the boats and row along -- perhaps fish! you like that -- that's what you were doing when you met me, fishing, yes? I'll just walk along the shore and find a quiet place to meditate and pray for a bit...'
Wind picks up; the boats are driven out into the sea of Galilee (a very large lake); Jesus walks toward the disciples in the boats, apparently over the water, calls Peter yet again (from his former life of fishing, again), and calms the unruly wind by joining them in the boat. Now they're all in the same boat together, again.
And, what was it all for? Whom was it for? The 5000(+) were fed amongst themselves in order that they might all learn, and model together this 'kingdom of God' - beginning with the disciples, who often are 'us' in the story. Why walk on water?
We can speculate. Other religious traditions had deities who occasionally walked over the water -- Orion, son of Poseidon, in ancient Greek tradition. Useful when hunting, kind of like a superpower. Is this the point here? Wow, Jesus! That's remarkable -- you must be an extraordinary being! Now I believe!
Sure - sometimes the point of the miracle-worker's work is to point to the miracle-worker's identity. This can strike us - in this psychological age of ours - as pretty unnecessarily narcissistic and showy.
What if it is all simply the result of what being in the presence of Jesus is? Or, does?
Mystics and meditators have made much of this passage over the centuries. The initial lack of recognition in a rising sea of windy night of the soul, the reassurance - do not be afraid - which is so often the word given. The identitification: It is I.
I am reminded of the religious traditions that see a mark of the holy in the levitational capacity of the guru. There is an uplift, a weightlessness -- do not be afraid -- and a revealing of a one-ness with the divine power in the world that is at heart a basic identity -- It is I. This voice that calms and calls is intimately connected with this divine source of presence, life, and creative transformation. 'Truly, you are the son of God.'
Whatever your thoughts are re: meditation, try an intentional deep breath at some point in the day -- even and especially amid stormy seas. Step out of the wobbly boat. Recognize the one who is calling you, and that this voice is trustworthy. This voice knows you by name before you even recognize the Speaker. This voice calms seas.
This miracle is that you may believe this - listen, and be at peace.