Reader’s Guide: “The Word for Today” Tuesday, February 11, 2014 Read John 6:16-21 Likely because it was in the tradition that stood behind John’s gospel John tells the story of Jesus coming to his disciples on the water as they struggled in the boat in the middle of the Sea of Galilee. It is clear that John’s story is the same story that Mark told. John’s version; however, is much shorter. Matthew’s story is even longer than Mark’s and both Mark and Matthew invest much more in the story. John does not. One might even say that he has told the story just because it was in the tradition underlying his gospel. Once the story is told, John will leave it and make no more mention of it. This is not an important story for John. If it has any function it is simply to provide space between the actual multiplication of the bread and the theological reflection about that multiplication. Jesus needs to be removed from the scene and the episode of the walking on the water conveniently does that.