(Readings : Acts of the Apostles 6:1-7; Psalm 32: 1-2,4-5,18-19; John 6:16-21)
In the English speaking world the name of Raymond Brown will always be associated with the Gospel of John. In his commentary he divided it into two parts – the Book of Signs and the Book of Glory. Today’s reading is taken from the first Book, set between the signs of feeding the five thousand and healing the man born blind. Though it appears to have been a brief episode without the drama on the part of the disciples depicted in the Gospel of Mark, it is significant for the following reasons : the sight of Jesus ‘walking on the lake and coming towards them frightened’ those in the boat followed by the statement of Jesus simply identifying himself – ‘It is I’.
This is significant – for as well as 7 signs there are 7 statements of Jesus in the Gospel of John – and today’s declaration is the basis for these – for example, ‘I am the bread of life, I am the good shepherd’. Here Jesus is simply content to announce himself which at the same time is an assurance that he will come to the aid of the disciples at any time of danger and distress. The presence of Jesus on the water and in the boat is already a promise of the peace proclaimed later in the same Gospel: ‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid’ (14: 27).
A Prayer For Peace
God our Father, peace is the environment in which you exist in heaven, the effect of your eternal glory. This state of supreme serenity is like a space where your light shines permanently, without any shadow or subtraction. This atmosphere attracts us always, answering our deepest desire to be drawn into the depths of your peace and dwell there. Teach us how to discern the presence of your peace amidst the distractions and demands, difficulties and dangers of daily life. Father, your peace is not a private possession, preserved within the precinct of heaven: so we can pray, pour out peace upon and between us, taking away from us all anxiety and anger, avarice and aggression.
Lord Jesus, the prophet’s promise that ‘a child has been born for us’ who is ‘named Prince of Peace’ (Isaiah 9:6) is made present, personified in you. The Reign of God you reveal is a relationship representing the love of God and leading people to the hope of eternal peace in heaven. However, humanity’s peace is the huge price paid by the privation, pain and penalty of death experienced in your Passion. Yet, despite their failure, flight and fear, the first words to your disciples following your Resurrection were ‘Peace be with you’, words you repeated to reinforce their feeling of being forgiven (John 20: 19, 21). Our prayer for others (_____) is that ‘the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds, in Christ Jesus’ (Philippians 4:7).
Holy Spirit, you are the channel and communicator of the peace of God the Father in the name of Christ His Son. In our contemporary world characterised by so much confusion, lack of civility and conflict we come seeking a peace that only the confirmation of truth and celebration of love can confer. We pray particularly for (______), couples, communities and countries, hoping in the confidence of Paul the ‘Apostle of Peace’: ‘Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in all ways’ (2 Thessalonians 3:16).
Fr Kevin O’Gorman SMA