Daily Readings - Wed Jan 09 2019
1 John
11Most beloved, if God has so loved us, we also ought to love one another12No one has ever seen God. But if we love one another, God abides in us, and his love is perfected in us13In this way, we know that we abide in him, and he in us: because he has given to us from his Spirit14And we have seen, and we testify, that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world15Whoever has confessed that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God16And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love. And he who abides in love, abides in God, and God in him17In this way, the love of God is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence on the day of judgment. For as he is, so also are we, in this world18Fear is not in love. Instead, perfect love casts out fear, for fear pertains to punishment. And whoever fears is not perfected in love
Mark
45And without delay he urged his disciples to climb into the boat, so that they might precede him across the sea to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the people46And when he had dismissed them, he went to the mountain to pray47And when it was late, the boat was in the midst of the sea, and he was alone on the land48And seeing them struggling to row, (for the wind was against them,) and about the fourth watch of the night, he came to them, walking upon the sea. And he intended to pass by them49But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they thought it was an apparition, and they cried out50For they all saw him, and they were very disturbed. And immediately he spoke with them, and he said to them: "Be strengthened in faith. It is I. Do not be afraid.51And he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they became even more astonished within themselves52For they did not understand about the bread. For their heart had been blinded
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the profound connection between love, faith, and trust in God. In the first reading from 1 John, we are reminded that God’s love is not abstract but deeply personal and transformative. John writes, “God is love,” and this love is not merely a feeling but a divine reality that dwells within us when we choose to love one another. The Apostle emphasizes that God’s love is perfected in us as we abide in Him, and this love casts out fear, for fear has to do with punishment, but perfect love is the assurance of His presence and care.
In the Gospel, Mark recounts the story of Jesus walking on the water to meet His disciples, who were struggling against the wind and waves. This passage is often seen as a metaphor for the challenges we face in life. Just as the disciples were tossed about by the storm, we too can feel overwhelmed by the trials and uncertainties of our world. Yet, Jesus comes to them, and His words, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid,” speak directly to our hearts. This moment reveals Jesus’ divine power and His deep concern for those He loves. It also highlights the disciples’ lack of understanding, as they had not yet grasped the full meaning of the bread—a reference to the multiplication of the loaves, which symbolizes God’s providence and abundance.
These readings are deeply intertwined. The love of God described in 1 John is the same love that Jesus embodies in the Gospel. Just as Jesus calmed the storm and reassured His disciples, God’s love is the anchor that holds us steady in the midst of life’s turbulence. The moral lesson here is clear: we are called to trust in God’s love and provision, even when the winds of fear and doubt assail us. Like the disciples, we may sometimes fail to see God’s hand at work in our lives, but His love remains constant and unchanging. Let us, therefore, strive to live in the confidence of His love, knowing that as long as we abide in Him, we need not be afraid.