The need, necessity and beauty of Crossing to the other side

Gospel Thoughts*

*Fifth Week : Monday*

*GOSPEL - Mk 6:53-56*

*First Reading - Gn 1:1-19*

*The need, necessity and beauty of Crossing to the other side*

*1) The days Gospel starts with Crossing to the other side*

Jesus and disciples crossed the other side of the sea, through the help of a boat

After crossing the sea, they got down from the boat and they witnessed variety of things there 

The Gospel tells us that the other side of the sea was Gennesaret. 

There were so many things which happened in the region of Genneasret

*A) First of all people recognised Jesus and His disciples*

Recognising Jesus is an important aspect of our life 

At times we fail to recognise Jesus in our life. In this context, crossing to the other side in order to recognise Jesus becomes very important

*B) Bringing of sick people for healing*

As soon as they recognised Jesus they brought all their sick people for healing 

In fact Jesus healed all of them from their infirmity

So other side of the sea becomes a important place of healing. So this also highlights the importance of crossing to the other side

*C) Touching of Jesus*

On the other side of the sea many people got and opportunity to touch Jesus 

Getting a chance to touch Jesus is the greatest privilege of life 

Those sick people got this beautiful chance of touching Jesus and all those who touched Jesus were healed. 

Something great and spectacular happened on the other side of the sea. 

*D) Jesus was found always on move* 

When Jesus reached the  other side of sea, He didn't simply sit. 

He went from place to place, from town to the villages and even to the market place 

Other side of the sea Jesus is always active and on move

The other side of the sea is meant for working and serving and not to sit idle.

*E) Other side of the sea became a place of miracles* 

So many such people were brought and all of them were healed 

So it became a place of miracles and healing 

*F) It became a place of divine encounter*

The other side of the sea became a place of divine encounter

Many people were able to have this encounter and it became a place of divine experience

*2) Where is my Gennesaret?*

Having reflected the importance of the other side of the sea, that is Gennesaret, where is this place in my life? 

What does this place symbolizes in my life? 

Do I feel the need to coming to this place?

Have I realised the beauty of this place? 

*3) Am I making any efforts to cross over to the other side?*

We have realised the need of crossing over to the other side 

If so where I am right now? Am I still on the sea or not yet started to cross over at all? 

What are the ways I am using to cross over to the other side?

*4) To cross over to the other side we need a boat*

Where is my boat to cross over to the other side? 

What types of boats I have in order to cross to the other side? 

Following could be some boats 

Humility, love, service, care, concern, forgiveness, sharing, sacrifice, justice, etc 

Am I ready to use these boats to cross over to the other side?

*5) With out crossing nothing happens*

The Gospel clearly shows that all beautiful things happened after crossing to the other side 

Without that nothing happened 

If so crossing is must for the miracles to take place 

Cross over from revenge to forgiveness

Cross over from pride to humility

Cross over from falsehood to truth 

Cross over from greed to generosity

Cross over from rigidity to broad mind 

Cross over to gossip to good news 

Cross over from non cooperation to cooperation

Cross over from hatred to love 

Cross Over from ------- to  ---- 

Fill the above gap

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*