SPIRITUAL LIVING
Prayer and Devotions
Peace Flows from Faith in Jesus Christ
by Father Roderick Ermatinger, LC
Resolution: Prepare yourself to do only the Father’s will before each activity.
January 9, 2008
Christmas Weekday
Mark 6: 45-52
Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. After saying farewell to them, he went up on the mountain to pray. When evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land. When he saw that they were straining at the oars against an adverse wind, he came towards them early in the morning, walking on the sea. He intended to pass them by. But when they saw him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost and cried out; for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, "Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid." Then he got into the boat with them and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded, for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.
Introductory Prayer: My heavenly Father, you made me out of your infinite love. Even though I have failed to love you as a good child should, still you send me gift upon gift. You sent your Son to redeem me and to make me one with you, in and through your Son. You and your only beloved Son sent your Spirit of Love and Truth, the Holy Spirit, to dwell in my heart, mind and body. Open my heart and eyes to all that you have done for me and continue to do for me, so that I will grow in generosity with you, your Church, and all of your children. Perfect me in the fire of your love, and, as you sent your only Son and your most Holy Spirit, send me into this world to set it ablaze.
Petition: Lord, I want with all of my heart to surrender myself to you, now and forever.
1. True Food – the Father’s Will. After Our Lord multiplied the fish and the bread, and after the people had satisfied their hunger, he dismissed them. Then he went to the mountain to be with the Father. Our Lord’s food was to do the will of the Father. Christ went to a mountain in order to get away from distractions. There he could immerse himself in a heart-to-heart conversation with the Father. Our Lord found his Father’s will where divine Providence brought him and through his deep and constant conversation with the Father.
2. Do We Really Believe in Jesus Christ?. Now another miracle: Our Lord walks on water. He dominates nature, the very nature that terrifies the apostles. Moreover, our Lord’s dominance over nature stuns the trembling men. So much is happening in this moment of salvation history. Do we tremble at the power of God? Do we truly see how weak and insignificant we are? Most importantly, do we really believe that Jesus Christ is the Lord of lords, and King of kings? Will we let Christ conquer our fears, or will we be swallowed up by the chaos in this world? We must look at what Christ is doing so that we will believe and abandon ourselves to him. If we grasp who he is, then the Prince of Peace will reign in our hearts. This is what Christ thirsts for.
3. Peace Be with You. If we consider what we long for most, we will see that it is peace. If we let Christ into our hearts, we will experience true and everlasting peace. Peace ultimately results from our surrendering our entire selves to Jesus Christ. This is not easy, and it takes a lifetime. However, our history of surrender to Jesus Christ may have significant moments. In a moment of decision, our lives can be changed forever. Certainly each of the apostles had a significant moment when they decided to allow Christ into their hearts. Even though those who opened their hearts to Christ would fall many times, peace would reign in their hearts. Their falls were not from hearts turned against Christ; rather, their falls resulted from their weak human flesh. Christ says to us all, “Do not be afraid, pick up your cross and follow me.”
Conversation with Christ: Lord, you show us your power again and again. Please give me the power to abandon myself to you, to the will of the Father in every moment of this day.
Resolution: Before each activity I will prepare myself to do only the Father’s will.
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