ACC ~ Mark 6 v48a

TRAINING BY EXERCISE

ORIGEN: But what is the spiritual nuance of the boat into which Jesus constrained the disciples to enter? Is it perhaps the conflict of temptations and difficulties into which any one is constrained by the Word, and goes unwillingly? The Savior wishes to train by exercise the disciples in this boat which is distressed by the waves and the contrary wind. COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 11.5. [1]

THE ANCHOR’S HOOK UNLOOSED

PRUDENTIUS:

Simon, surnamed Peter, [2]

Chief disciple of Christ the Lord,

On a day at the set of sun

When the evening sky grows red,

Unloosed his anchor’s hook,

And filled his sails with the swelling winds,

And made ready to cross the sea.

But night roused up a contrary gale [3]

That stirred up the deeper waves

And buffeted the floundering boat.

Shouts of fishermen struck the sky,

With shrieks and despairing groans

Amid the creak of swaying ropes.

Nor did any have hope of escape

From shipwreck and a watery death,

When the oarsmen all wan with fear

Saw Christ himself not far away

Treading surely upon the surge,

Just as though on the barren shore

He walked over the solid ground.

AGAINST SYMMACHUS 2. [4]

[1] ANF 9:434*; TLG 2042.029, 11.5.43-48. They were in training to exercise faith.

[2] Cf. Mt 10:2; Acts 10:5.

[3] Cf. Mt 14:24-32; Mk 6:45-51; Jn 6:16-21.

[4] Cetedoc 1442, 2.1; FC 52:139**.

Mk