Walk On By
When things are going well, we don't often give much thought to the amount of help we get, help from friends and family, peers and clients, help that keeps us afloat in a sea of uncertainty.
But when things get rough, it's another story.
When evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land. When 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. - Mark 6:47-48
In today's reading , Mark takes us out to sea with the disciples, but he does it in an interesting way. He sets the scene from Jesus' perspective.
We are with him, not them, heading to the far shore, planning on meeting our friends on the other side. We are not expecting to come to their aid. Theirs is a journey they need to take on their own.
But Mark doesn't say all that. He merely points out that Jesus intended to pass them by. He wants us to know this for a reason.
I believe it is a metaphor for how we live with God in our lives. He is there for us, nearby, going where we are going, aware of us and our struggles, but not jumping in to do anything, not yet.
If we don't call on God, he will not come to our aid. It is our choice, our option to go it alone, or to seek help.
Perhaps we should be the same way toward others, especially those in need. when I put it that way, it might sound harsh, but as we have seen so many times when Jesus encounters someone in need, before he does anything, he asks, "What is it you want from me?"
We think we know the best way to help someone in need, but unless we ask what they want or need, how can we?
I know someone who is need of help and he expects others to take the responsibility to care and provide for him. He is even critical of their generosity, making demands, setting high expectations for them, without taking responsibility for himself.
Without an understanding of what someone wants and expects in terms of help, the care giver is trapped into an unending and ineffective relationship.
In order for us to be truly helpful, we need to know what the expectations are for our help.
In the situation I described, my friend will continue to be disappointed. And the care givers will continue to feel used and become frustrated. They may wish they had just walked on by.
More to come...
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