Daily Readings - Wed Jan 08 2020
1 John
11Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.12No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.13We know that we live 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.15If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God.16And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.17In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him.18There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
Mark
45Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd.46After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray.47When evening came, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land.48He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them,49but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out,50because they all saw him and were terrified.51Immediately he spoke to them and said, "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed,52for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are reminded of the profound connection between love, faith, and trust in God. The first reading from 1 John emphasizes that God is love, and this love is not merely a feeling but a divine reality that transforms us. John writes that if we abide in love, we abide in God, and God in us. This love is not just for a select few but is universal, calling us to love one another as God has loved us. The second reading from Mark’s Gospel complements this message with the story of Jesus walking on the water to meet his disciples, who were struggling against the wind and waves. Jesus’ words, “Be strengthened in faith. It is I. Do not be afraid,” offer us a timeless assurance of his presence and care, even in the midst of life’s storms.
The context of these readings is deeply rooted in the relationship between God and humanity. In 1 John, the apostle writes to a community facing challenges and uncertainties, urging them to hold fast to the love of God as their anchor. In Mark’s Gospel, the disciples, having just witnessed the miracle of the loaves, are now tested by the turbulent sea. Jesus’ appearance on the water is not just a display of his divine power but also a moment of tender compassion, reassuring his disciples of his presence and calming their fears. Together, these readings invite us to reflect on how we respond to difficulties and uncertainties in our own lives. Do we turn to fear, or do we turn to faith?
The moral lesson here is clear: love and faith are intertwined. Just as the disciples needed to trust in Jesus’ presence on the water, we too must trust in God’s love and providence in every situation. Perfect love, as John writes, casts out fear. This does not mean we will never feel afraid, but it means we can face our fears with confidence, knowing that God is with us. In our daily lives, this means loving others selflessly, even when it is difficult, and trusting in God’s plan, even when the path ahead seems uncertain. Let us strive to abide in God’s love, so that we may live with courage, compassion, and confidence, reflecting the love of Christ to a world in need.