Daily Readings - Wed Jan 06 2021
1 John
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.
Mark
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
In today's readings, we are reminded of the profound connection between God's love and our faith. The first reading from 1 John 4:11-18 emphasizes that God's love is the foundation of our existence, and we are called to reflect this love in our interactions with others. The Gospel from Mark 6:45-52 illustrates this love in action through Jesus' calming of the storm, teaching us to trust in His providence even in turbulent times.
The context of 1 John's letter is one of encouragement, urging believers to embrace love as a divine attribute. Mark's narrative follows the feeding of the 5000, highlighting Jesus' divine power and care for His disciples. Both readings underscore the importance of faith and trust in God's plan.
These readings intertwine beautifully, as they both call us to trust God and demonstrate His love. In our daily lives, we face storms—challenges that test our faith. Like the disciples, we may feel isolated or fearful, but Jesus' presence offers calm and reassurance. By trusting in His love, we can navigate life's difficulties with courage.
The moral lesson here is clear: trust in God's providence and embody His love. Just as Jesus calmed the storm, He can bring peace to our lives. Let us strive to love others as God loves us, reflecting His grace in all we do. In doing so, we not only deepen our faith but also become beacons of hope and love in the world.