Daily Readings - Wed Jan 05 2022
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 God’s love and our response to it. In the first reading from 1 John, we are reminded that God’s love for us is the foundation of our faith. John writes, “God is love,” and this love is not abstract but active. It is seen in the way God sent His Son to save us and in the way we are called to love one another. This love is not just a feeling but a commitment to live in harmony with God and with others. John also emphasizes that perfect love casts out fear, for fear has to do with punishment, but those who abide in God’s love are free from such fear.
In the Gospel, Mark presents a dramatic scene where Jesus walks on the water to meet His disciples, who are struggling against a strong wind. This miracle is not just a display of divine power but a profound lesson in trust and faith. The disciples, exhausted and frightened, think Jesus is a ghost, but He reassures them, “Take courage, it is I. Do not be afraid.” This moment echoes the first reading, as Jesus’ presence brings peace and dispels fear. The disciples’ astonishment and confusion, however, also remind us that faith is not always easy. Their hearts were still blinded, as they had not fully understood the meaning of the bread Jesus had multiplied earlier. This blindness is a reminder that our faith is a journey, and growth in understanding comes over time.
These readings call us to reflect on how we respond to God’s love and presence in our lives. Like the disciples, we may face storms—challenges and uncertainties—that test our faith. But Jesus is always with us, walking on the waves of our struggles, offering His peace. The first reading reminds us that God’s love is perfected in us when we love one another. So, let us ask ourselves: Are we allowing God’s love to abide in us? Are we sharing that love with others? Let us trust in His presence, just as the disciples learned to trust, and let us strive to live in a way that reflects the love and peace of Christ.