Daily Readings - Wed Jan 06 2021
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 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.