A Theophany in a Storm
- davidwperk
- Jan 31
- 6 min read
Devotional Reflection, Friday, January 31, 2025
The week of the third Sunday after the Epiphany
The Rev. David W. Perkins,Th.D.
Key phrases for reflection from today’s Gospel reading:
47 When evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on
the land. 48When 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. 49But when they saw him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost and cried out; 50for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, `Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.' 51Then he got into the boat with them and the wind ceased.
You will find the full text of this Gospel reading at the end of this reflection.
Daily Office Lectionary Readings (BCP, 944)
AM Psalm 40, 54; PM Psalm 51 Isa. 50:1-11; Gal. 3:15-22; Mark 6:47-56
Today we celebrate the Feasts of John Bosco and Samuel Shoemaker. (See below.)
David's Reflections
This Gospel passage has given us a cliché in English—"s/he thinks s/he
can walk on water."
Sudden gales and contrary winds were common on the Sea of Galilee, and there were veteran fishermen among the Twelve, veterans very familiar with the quirks of sailing and fishing that large inland lake. According to our Gospels, Jesus was walking on the surface of the water and intended to walk past them.
What they saw terrified them. Jesus reassured them that it was he. He used a phrase associated with the God Moses saw at the burning bush, "It is I." The disciples, like Moses, were privy to a theophany, a physical outshining of the nature and presence of God. (Mark attributes their fear to their hardness of heart, their not having grasped Jesus' identity as revealed in the feeding of the 5,000.)
Some scholars have struggled with this passage because it involves
Jesus' having power over nature. Some feel that such power is inconsistent with Jesus' real humanity, so they see these types of stories as legendary. The Gospels record three such nature miracles--this episode, Jesus' stilling of a storm, and the feeding of the 5,000.
As noted in a recent reflection, the biblical prophets exercised authority over nature; the closest analogy to this event would be Moses' parting of the Red Sea. Elijah and Elisha both performed nature miracles. From my perspective, Jesus' actions in the nature miracles can be understood as consistent with the actions of those biblical prophets without contradicting his true humanity. If one rejects this story as literal, such rejection cannot rest on that theological foundation.
The real point for the Gospel writers has to do with a greater than
Moses having come. Moses fed the people in the dessert with bread from heaven and led them through the Red Sea. Jesus fed the multitudes in the desert and walked on the Sea. This miracle appears also in Matthew and John, and John's account more fully brings out these contrasts.
How often in our lives have we misread God's presence and activity
because, like the Twelve, our hearts were slow to see and perceive God's
nature and activity in the world and in our lives? How often have we been rowing against a contrary wind, caught in our own weakness, caught in an addiction, caught in an emotional state, caught in circumstances we could not alter. How often have we been filled with fear about our circumstances, only to learn in retrospect that God's hand had been active all along?
We had judged the situation as hopeless, but we had been wrong. The very storm that seemed to be the stuff of our caughtness became the water on which God walked into that caughtness and "got in the boat" with us. We may not have had a physical display of divine presence. Sometimes, it’s an inner revelation, an epiphany. But, the theophany or epiphany came during and because of the storm.
The theophany challenges us to persist in the storm, trusting that the God revealed in Jesus of Nazareth will see us through. The storm gifts us with the theophany and God gifts us with the way through.
Collect of the Day, Third Sunday after the Epiphany
Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News of his salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive the glory of his marvelous works; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP, 216)
Today we celebrate the Feasts of John Bosco, priest (died 31 Jan 1888 CE), and of Samuel Shoemaker, priest (died 31 Oct 1963 CE).
Collect of the Feast of John Bosco
Loving God, who tenderly cares for children and orphans: Fill us with love like that shown forth in the witness of John Bosco, that we may give ourselves completely to your service and to the salvation of all; through your Son Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Collect of the Feast of Samuel Shoemaker
Holy God, we thank you for the vision of Samuel Shoemaker, who labored for the renewal of all people: Grant, we pray, that we may follow his example to help others find salvation through the knowledge and love of Jesus Christ our Savior; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Of the Holy Spirit
Almighty and most merciful God, grant that by the indwelling of your
Holy Spirit we may be enlightened and strengthened for your service;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the
unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (BCP, 252)
A Prayer for Light
Almighty God, we give you thanks for surrounding us, as daylight
fades, with the brightness of the vesper light; and we implore you of
your great mercy that, as you enfold us with the radiance of this
light, so you would shine into our hearts the brightness of your Holy
Spirit; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 110)
A Collect for Mission
O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and
sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to
those who are near: Grant that people everywhere may seek after you
and find you; bring the nations into your fold; pour out your Spirit
upon all flesh; and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 100, 257)
Daily Office Gospel, Mark 6:47-56
47 When evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on
the land. 48When 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. 49But when they saw him walking on the
sea, they thought it was a ghost and cried out; 50for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, `Take heart, it
is I; do not be afraid.' 51Then he got into the boat with them and the
wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded, 52for they did not
understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.
53 When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and
moored the boat. 54When they got out of the boat, people at once
recognized him, 55and rushed about that whole region and began to bring the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. 56And wherever he went, into villages or cities or farms, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak; and all who touched it were healed.
Daily Prayer Offices in The Book of Common Prayer
Morning Prayer, Rite 2, page 75, Book of Common Prayer
Noonday Prayer, p. 103, Book of Common Prayer
Order of Worship for Evening (Vespers), p. 109, Book of Common Prayer
Evening Prayer, Rite 2, page 115, Book of Common Prayer
Compline (Night Prayer), Page 127, Book of Common Prayer
Daily Devotionals, page 136, Book of Common Prayer
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