Daily Catholic Mass Readings for January 9, 2019
First Reading: 1 John 4.11-18
11Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.12No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.13By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.14And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.15Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.16So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.17By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world.18There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.
Psalm 72
1Give the king your justice, O God, and your righteousness to the royal son!2May he judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice!3Let the mountains bear prosperity for the people, and the hills, in righteousness!4May he defend the cause of the poor of the people, give deliverance to the children of the needy, and crush the oppressor!5May they fear you while the sun endures, and as long as the moon, throughout all generations!6May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass, like showers that water the earth!7In his days may the righteous flourish, and peace abound, till the moon be no more!8May he have dominion from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth!9May desert tribes bow down before him and his enemies lick the dust!10May the kings of Tarshish and of the coastlands render him tribute; may the kings of Sheba and Seba bring gifts!11May all kings fall down before him, all nations serve him!12For he delivers the needy when he calls, the poor and him who has no helper.13He has pity on the weak and the needy, and saves the lives of the needy.14From oppression and violence he redeems their life, and precious is their blood in his sight.15Long may he live; may gold of Sheba be given to him! May prayer be made for him continually, and blessings invoked for him all the day!16May there be abundance of grain in the land; on the tops of the mountains may it wave; may its fruit be like Lebanon; and may people blossom in the cities like the grass of the field!17May his name endure forever, his fame continue as long as the sun! May people be blessed in him, all nations call him blessed!18Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things.19Blessed be his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory! Amen and Amen!20The prayers of David, the son of Jesse, are ended.
Gospel: Mark 6.45-52
45Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd.46And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray.47And when evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land.48And he saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them. And about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them,49but when they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost, and cried out,50for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, "Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid."51And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded,52for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.
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.