Sail on the Sea of Galilee: No passport required

September 13, 2018
Sister Jean Evans, RSM

For some time I have thought about the Holy Land. Why would I go? What would it cost? How would I get there? I have looked at short courses, at Catholic tours, at The Jesus Trail, at spending time at a convent in Jerusalem like Ecce Homo, the pilgrim house of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Sion. I have looked at websites and tour itineraries, at all that I could see along the Via Dolorosa and all that I might learn from being in Jerusalem, the center of three great religious traditions: Judaism, Islam and Christianity.

As I spent time looking at the websites, I found myself more interested in visiting the Sea of Galilee than anywhere else. I felt drawn by the scenery, the grasses blown by the afternoon winds. Although there are many fine hotels in Tiberius, I just wanted to be near the shore of that lake, maybe in a bed-and-breakfast or a guesthouse for pilgrims. I knew I would not be satisfied with the typical tourist offerings of a half or full-day bus tour of Nazareth, Cana, Tiberius, the Mount of the Beatitudes, and the River Jordan. No, I wanted to go to the Sea of Galilee, to feel the freshness of the wind coming off the waves, and to walk along with Jesus and the disciples. One day, with some help from Chapter 4 of St. Mark’s Gospel, I “heard” Jesus’ words, “Let us cross over to the other side.”

In my imagination, I entered the scene: I got into the boat as quickly as I could. I wanted to be there, near him. As the boat began moving through the water, I looked to the bow and saw him already asleep, exhausted from the day’s preaching and healing.

We took turns rowing and before I realized it, evening had turned into night. I could hardly believe it. Then waves began slapping the sides of our boat with increasing fierceness. Within minutes, rain was coursing down from the heavens. There was water everywhere.

We were drenched, struggling to hold on to the side of the boat with one hand as we tried to bail out water with the other. “I’m sure we’re going to sink!” I bawled to the disciple next to me. Everyone, except Jesus, was screaming. Then with one shocking gesture, a disciple took Jesus by his sleeve, pulled him close, and spoke words of fear laced with anger, “Jesus, Master, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?”

All of a sudden, Jesus sat up and shouted to the elements, “Quiet!” and then raising his right hand over the waves, as if to give a blessing, he called out to the sea, “Be calm!” Then he looked at us, “Why are you so frightened? Where is your faith?” We were stunned. No one had an answer for him.

The rowing was easier now and as we came nearer to the shore, I heard some of the others say, “Who is he? How can he make the wind and sea obey his commands?” As soon as Jesus got out of the boat, a mentally deranged man came up to him, fell to his knees and shouted, “Jesus, you are the son of the Most High God!”

I went away repeating those same words: “You are the son of the Most High God!” and thanked God for this unforgettable moment with Jesus on the Sea of Galilee (Mark 4:35-5:6). You know, looking back on it now, I think he may have been more amused than angry at us, his fearful disciples.

Whether we use our imagination to break open the scriptures or sit quietly reading and re-reading a text, the Holy Spirit ensures our connection. We must know that our compassionate friend Jesus, son of the Most High God, is waiting to give each of us an opportunity to travel with him where no passport is required.

Mercy Sister Jean Evans ministers in the Capuchin Development Office in Burlingame.