When the evening comes, there arises the need of crossing over to the other side

Gospel Thoughts

*Third Week : Saturday*

*GOSPEL - Mk 4:35-41*

*First Reading - Heb 11:1-2, 8-19*

*When the evening comes, there arises the need of crossing over to the other side*

*On that day, as evening drew on, Jesus said to his disciples: "Let us cross to the other side"*

*1) Jesus tells His disciples to cross over to the other side, when evening drew near*

Coming of evening is a reality. 

When evening comes, it is an indication of the greater darkness which will follow within in no time. 

In the darkness one can't do anything. So there is a need of crossing to the other side where it is safe 

The darkness also creates a kind of anxiety and fear. So usually people don't want to remain in darkness. 

*2) Darkness need to see beyond the physical level*

In the context of the Gospel, the biblical writer refers to the physical darkness which will follow when the sun sets 

We are familiar with the physical darkness, and we know the anxiety, fear and problems which are attached to the physical darkness

But we need to see this darkness in our spiritual life too, which gives us a powerful message to our life. 

*3) Coming of evenings in our day to day life*

Coming of the evenings in our life is also a reality. 

Coming of the evening in our life is an indication, of greater crisis, problem, or tough situation in our life 

All of us experience such kind of evenings in our life 

In such a situation it is necessary to cross over to the other side for our own protection

*4) Meaning of the other Side*

Other side could be understood as the place we are able to prepare ourselves to face the challenge or the crisis or the problem

*Other side* will also give us some kind of confidence of hope to face our challenges 

*Other side* appears to be a safer place to face all kinds of darkness in ones life 

*Other side* also will help us to have a new beginning to our life 

*5) The various situations which can be compared to the evenings of life*

A person who cought up in bad habits like drinks, drugs, too much  attachment wordly things - these are a kind of evenings of life. When these come into our life, there is a need of crossing over to the other side 

Other examples could be the following

When we lose the interest for prayer and engrossed too much in worldly things 

 

When we are too much greedy for things, and desire for bodily pleasures 

When we think that we are always right, the self-righteous attitude 

When we are arrogant, fail to forgive another, desire to take revenge, and fail to extend a helping hand to the needy. 

These evenings are the indications of greater darkness which will enter in our lives 

Before the darkness comes into our life, we need to  cross over to the other side.

*6) Am I ready to cross over to the other side*

There is no other alternative than crossing over to the other side when there is evening in our life. 

Crossing over to the other side will help us to save ourselves from greater darkness. 

Only we need to recognize when the evening comes and need to  cross over immediately 

So am I prepared myself to recognize the coming of evening in my life and cross over to the other side. 

Some are not able to recognize the coming of evening in their life. Such persons will face greater darkness in their lives 

So we need to be very careful about the coming of evenings in our lives

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*