This Gospel reading from Mark has produced through the centuries a kind of good- humored or sometimes cynical disbelief. “Walking on water” has entered common usage as a metaphor for something utterly incredible. Read as gospel, however, the reading offers strong comfort to fearful disciples.

Our Gospel reading for Sunday includes two distinct units: Jesus’ walking on the water and the report of many healings at Gennesaret. Both tell of miracles, yet in each case other elements are significant for understanding.

The destination of the crossing of the Sea of Galilee is Bethsaida on the northeastern shore. The actual landing occurs at Gennesaret on the northwestern shore of the lake. Not until chapter 8 will we read of their arrival in Bethsaida, where Jesus heals a blind man.

The expression of Mark, “made his disciples get into the boat” indicates a firm intention on the part of Jesus to be alone to pray. The order to depart suggests that then and now the Lord sends his disciples into situations of danger where their faith will be tested. It is clear that, as the story opens, the disciples are in trouble and do not know that Jesus is aware of it, while Jesus, though absent and in communion with God, knows their distress and moves to their support. The miraculous appearance of Jesus, unrecognized, walking on the water; the terror of the disciples; the words “It is I” and “have no fear”’ and finally the verb “pass by,” lets us know that this is a story of an epiphany, a mind and eye-opening revelation for the disciples