The Sea of Galilee is about 12 miles long and 7 miles wide and generally quite deep. Sudden changes of weather can create strong winds, and the gorges between the high hills surrounding the area can tunnel the winds onto the sea and create dangerous conditions, especially at night.
Some would say that Mark and Matthew include this story in their Gospels because they see it as a reassuring lesson for Christians after the resurrection and ascension. The boat represents the Church. The darkness and wind represent evils that threaten it. Jesus, who seems to be absent, comes to them and calms the wind and the waves.
In John’s account, the whole point of the story is simply the unexpected presence of the Lord – there is no “miracle” other than that (no calming of the wind and the waves). His presence is enough.
As individual Christians, and as a Church, we face crises from time to time. Some come from within, and some come from the outside. Both can bring fear and panic.
We need to hear the reassuring words of Jesus: “It is I. Do not be afraid.” Let him speak those words to you now.
The Easter Season weekday readings make particular use of two large sections of John’s Gospel. They are generally referred to as: (1) the Bread of Life Discourse, and (2) the Last Supper Discourse.
In Christian tradition, the Bread of Life refers both to the Word of God and the Eucharist. This may come as a surprise to some because of the apparent emphasis of the Catholic Church on the Eucharist. However, traditional Catholic theology considers each, in its own way, the “real presence.” The Vatican II document on the Word of God says this:
“The Church has always venerated the divine Scriptures just as she venerates the body of the Lord, since from the table of both the Word of God and of the Body of Christ, she unceasingly receives and offers to the faithful the Bread of Life.” (#21)
In renovating church space, there has been a trend toward the design of the “lectern” as a table rather than the usual speaker’s rostrum. It has a flat top, smaller than the altar but similar in design…thus visually conveying the parallel: The table of the Bread of Life.