The reading of the holy Gospel according to St. Mark
At that time, when it was late, the ship was in the midst of
the sea, and Jesus alone on the land. And so forth.
Homily of St. Bede the Venerable, Priest
The toil
of the disciples in rowing and the winds contrary to them signify the many
labors of holy Church, which, under the waves of the opposing world and the
wind of the unclean spirits strives to come to the quiet of the heavenly
fatherland as to her true haven. Thus, it is well said that "the ship was
in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the shore," because at times the
Church of the Gentiles is not only afflicted by such great persecutions, but
even disfigured, so that, if it were possible, the Redeemer would truly seem to
have abandoned her for 
a time.
Whence is that voice of her who has been
caught amidst the waves and storms of onrushing temptations and who cries for
the help of His protection in mournful lament: "Why, O Lord, hast thou
retired afar off? Why dost thou slight us in our wants, in trouble?" In
like manner does she expose the voice of the persecuting fiend, adding in the
following verses of that psalm: "For he hath said in his heart: God hath forgotten;
he hath turned away his face not to see at all."
But He does not forget the prayer
of the poor; neither does He turn His face from those who place their trust in
Him. But He rather aids them who are struggling with their enemies to conquer,
and He crowns them as victors forever. Wherefore it is also clearly stated that
He saw them "laboring in rowing." Indeed, the Lord beholds them
laboring in the sea, although He is on the shore. For though He may seem to
defer for a time in extending help to those who are troubled, nevertheless He
strengthens them in respect to their love lest they faint in tribulations. And
at times He even frees them by His manifest help, overwhelming their
adversaries as the rolling waves were walked upon and made calm.
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