The Fourth Watch

Wednesday, August 1, 2007 -- Week of Proper 12
(Joseph of Arimathaea)

"Morning Reflections" is a brief thought about the scripture readings from the Daily Office of Morning and Evening Prayer according to the practice found in the Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church.

Morning Prayer begins on p. 80 of the Book of Common Prayer.
Evening Prayer begins on p. 117
An online resource for praying the Daily Office is found at www.missionstclare.com
Another form of the office from Phyllis Tickle's "Divine Hours" is available on our partner web site www.ExploreFaith.org at this location -- http://explorefaith.org/prayer/fixed/index.html

Audio Podcasts of today's "Morning Reflection" and those from the past week are available from http://www.stpaulsfay.org/id244.html (go to St. Paul's Home Page www.stpaulsfay.org and click "Morning Reflection podcast")

Today's Readings for the Daily Office (p. 976)
Psalms 72 (morning) 119:73-96 (evening)
2 Samuel 3:22-39
Acts 16:16-24
Mark 6:47-56

There is something mysterious and dreamlike in this story from Mark. We see the disciples "straining at the oars against an adverse wind." The words translated "early in the morning" are literally during "the fourth watch." The fourth watch is between 3:00 and 6:00 a.m. It's the time of night when our dreams can be troubled. When you wake up and can't get back to sleep, maybe because of the worries and strains that represent the adverse winds in our own lives. It can be a dark and lonely time, when you can't tell good from ill.

Jesus comes to the disciples in this stormy moment, but they don't recognize him, and are terrified. Even after he speaks to them, "Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid," they remain "utterly astounded, for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened." Even though the wind has stilled, they don't understand. But Jesus remains in the boat with them.

Carl Jung was reported to have a message in Latin carved in wood over his door: "Bidden or not bidden, God is present." When we are tossed to and fro and cannot find rest or security, Christ is there whether we are aware of his presence or not. That's a good thing to remember when we are tossing and turning during the fourth watch.

The next morning we see the disciples getting out of the boat. Immediately they are set upon with work that needs to be done and the problems that demand their attention. Those who can touch only the fringe of Jesus' cloak find healing. That's a good thing to remember when we are swamped in the middle of a demanding day.

Bidden or not bidden, Jesus is present.

Lowell
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The Rev. Lowell Grisham
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Fayetteville, AR

The Mission of St. Paul's Episcopal Church is to explore and celebrate
God's infinite grace, acceptance, and love.

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