Post-feast of the Nativity of Christ; the Holy Martyr Anysia (286-305); Holy Martyr and Presbyter, Zoticus, Protector of Orphans (4th c.)
Read
Hebrews 8:7-13; Mark 8:11-21
Christ is born! Glorify Him!
In today’s Gospel the Pharisees demand Jesus give them a sign in order to prove his authority, perhaps a miracle. But I’d like to draw your attention to this line in the passage: “He left them, and getting into the boat again, he went across to the other side.”
Whose boat was this? Well, the previous verses confirm it belonged to his disciples. Jesus entering the boat calls to mind his first encounter with Peter. One day, Peter was going about his ordinary business, washing his nets and preparing for a catch. Then without warning, without asking permission, Jesus got into his boat. Now, the boat was everything for Peter; it was his livelihood, his security. But Jesus just got in and began giving orders.
So it goes in the order of grace. The true God cannot be manipulated, determined by us, or controlled through our efforts. We can’t act like the Pharisees in today’s Gospel, demanding that God behave for us. Rather, he comes into our lives—often unbidden and unexpected—and determines us, controls us. His presence is pure grace.
Don’t demand signs from God. Instead, do what the disciples did and let him enter your boat.