Jesus needs my boat for His mission : Am I ready to give?

Gospel Thoughts

*Second Week : Thursday*

*GOSPEL - Mk 3: 7-12*

*First Reading - Heb 7:25-8:6*

*Jesus needs my boat for His mission : Am I ready to give?*

*1) Jesus requests a boat for His mission*

Jesus as soon as He reached to the shore of the sea, there was a great multitude of people, who had gathered, either to hear Him, or to get healed from their sicknesses. 

So Jesus decides to reach out them by using a different method. 

To get into the boat, which will be anchored in the sea. So that everyone can see Him and know what exactly He will be doing for those people. 

So Jesus requests His disciples a boat to be kept ready for the same purpose. 

*2) The speciality of preaching from the boat in the sea*

First of all everyone can see Jesus and Jesus is also able to see all the people, since people can't get into the water and go backside  of Jesus

Secondly, no one can disturb Jesus while preaching from the boat in the sea. 

Thirdly, it becomes a beautiful scenery to have water and little waves, which really attracts the people 

Fourthly it becomes a new and creative way of preaching, which will easily capture the attention of the people 

Fifthly, it also needs a lot of alertness, since boat will sake as the waves will hit the boat. Needs to maintain a balance while preaching from the boat. 

Sixthly, It is rather difficult to preach from the boat, if there is only one person. Preaching from the boat, requires at least few persons to assist Jesus. So preaching from the boat, highlights the idea of team spirit. 

Seventhly, Jesus is also making use of the various instruments and facilities to make His preaching more effective and creative. Boat was one of the powerful instruments of the time of Jesus, just like media and internet today. 

Eight point would be, Jesus can very well maintain the distance, until His preaching gets over. Or else people may rush towards Him, which may become difficult situation to handle the crowd.

*3) Preaching from the boat become very powerful* 

In the passage it appears that, the preaching from the boat became very powerful. 

Because, people from many places had come and they practically remained to listen to Jesus 

Majority of the people wanted to touch Him, because of His powerful preaching and healing 

Even the evil spirits came to realise the identity of Jesus, as He was preaching from the boat 

The preaching from the boat, cured many, and many others realised who Jesus is and His divine power. 

*4) Jesus needs my Boat today*

As He requested His disciples to keep the boat ready for His mission, today the same Jesus requests me and You to keep my boat ready for His mission 

If so what type of Boat I have, to offer to Jesus? 

The following can be some of the boats which we can offer to Jesus for His mission 

My life - a beautiful boat 

My talents, skills, creative ways 

My knowledge, my wisdom, my courage, my humility, my generosity, my cooperation, my readiness, my leadership capacities, my goodwill, my adjustments, etc 

There are varieties of boats are found in my life

But the question is am I ready to offer them for Jesus for His mission? 

*5) What types of boats I have?*

In the above points there are several boats which can be used as a boat by Jesus 

If so, what are the concrete ways or which are the boats I have which can be used by Jesus? 

Have I lost my boat? 

Am I in a position to say that I have my strong boat to offer to Jesus for His mission?

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*