"Take heart, it is I; have no fear"
Wednesday after Epiphany
Reading 1 1 JN 4:11-18
Beloved, if God so loved us,
we also must love one another.
No one has ever seen God.
Yet, if we love one another, God remains in us,
and his love is brought to perfection in us.
This is how we know that we remain in him and he in us,
that he has given us of his Spirit.
Moreover, we have seen and testify
that the Father sent his Son as savior of the world.
Whoever acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God,
God remains in him and he in God.
We have come to know and to believe in the love God has for us.
God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him.
In this is love brought to perfection among us,
that we have confidence on the day of judgment
because as he is, so are we in this world.
There is no fear in love,
but perfect love drives out fear
because fear has to do with punishment,
and so one who fears is not yet perfect in love.
Responsorial Psalm PS 72:1-2, 10, 12-13
R. (see 11) Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
O God, with your judgment endow the king,
and with your justice, the king’s son;
He shall govern your people with justice
and your afflicted ones with judgment.
R. Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
The kings of Tarshish and the Isles shall offer gifts;
the kings of Arabia and Seba shall bring tribute.
R. Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
For he shall rescue the poor when he cries out,
and the afflicted when he has no one to help him.
He shall have pity for the lowly and the poor;
the lives of the poor he shall save.
R. Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
Alleluia SEE 1 TM 3:16
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Glory to you, O Christ, proclaimed to the Gentiles.
Glory to you, O Christ, believed in throughout the world.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel MK 6:45-52
After the five thousand had eaten and were satisfied,
Jesus made his disciples get into the boat
and precede him to the other side toward Bethsaida,
while he dismissed the crowd.
And when he had taken leave of them,
he went off to the mountain to pray.
When it was evening,
the boat was far out on the sea and he was alone on shore.
Then he saw that they were tossed about while rowing,
for the wind was against them.
About the fourth watch of the night,
he came toward them walking on the sea.
He meant to pass by them.
But when they saw him walking on the sea,
they thought it was a ghost and cried out.
They had all seen him and were terrified.
But at once he spoke with them,
“Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid!”
He got into the boat with them and the wind died down.
They were completely astounded.
They had not understood the incident of the loaves.
On the contrary, their hearts were hardened.
MEDITATION 1: BRO. DON SCHWAGER
Does the Lord Jesus ever seem distant when trials or difficulties come your way? Right after Jesus performed the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes, he left his disciples by themselves so he could go to a remote place to pray alone.It was at Jesus' initiative that the disciples sailed across the lake of Galilee, only to find themselves in a life-threatening storm. Although they were experienced fishermen, they feared for their lives. The Lake of Galilee was known for its sudden storms whipped up by strong winds which swept down from the nearby mountains. The disciples must have cried out for help when they recognized that their boat was about to be capsized by the threatening waves.
Jesus always intercedes for us
Although Jesus was not physically with them in the boat, he nonetheless had been keeping vigilant watch for them in earnest prayer. When Jesus perceived their trouble he came to them walking on the sea and startled them with his sudden appearance. The disciples were terrified rather than joyful when they saw Jesus' presence on the water. They thought a ghost had appeared to seal their doom. They couldn't believe it was really him until he spoke words of assurance: "Don't give in to fear or panic, but take courage and be calm, because I am here for you and ready to help you in your need." Jesus not only calmed their fears, but the threatening waves and storm as well.
Do you recognize the Lord's abiding presence with you?
Does the Lord Jesus seem distant when trials and difficulties come your way? The Lord never leaves us alone, but keeps constant watch over us at all times, especially when we are tempted and feel weak or helpless. Do you look to the Lord Jesus to give you his strength and help when you are in need? Jesus assures us that we do not have to give into fear or discouragement if we put our trust in Him and remember his great love for us. He will see us through any trial that comes our way. When calamities and trials threaten to overwhelm you, do you respond with faith and hope in God's love and presence with you?
"Lord Jesus, may I never doubt your saving help and your ever watchful presence, especially in times of adversity. Fortify my faith with courage and my hope with steady perseverance that I may never waver in placing all my trust in you who are my all."
MEDITATION 2: FR. ALFONSE
Mark 6:45-52 He Meant To Pass By Them
After the Five thousand had eaten and were satisfied, Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and precede him to the other side toward Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. And when he had taken leave of them, he went off to the mountain to pray. When it was evening, the boat was far out on the sea and he was alone on shore. Then he saw that they were tossed about while rowing, for the wind was against them…He meant to pass by them.
They were satisfied. We are typically satisfied when we get what we want. When we don’t, we can easily get frustrated and upset.
After the five thousand had eaten and were satisfied, Jesus made his disciples get into the boat. The Lord’s disciples got into the boat content, satisfied. They had had their fill. What was missing? What was there to fear? They were in the Lord’s presence. They could touch Him and see Him. What else could they ask for? They had witnessed a miracle. They had seen the fruits of their labor. What else could anyone ever ask for?
But now, the Lord tells them to leave Him, to get into a boat and to journey “solo”. As the Lord went off to pray, his disciples encountered a storm.
They were being tossed about. So what did the disciples do? They rowed even harder. That’s not bad. That’s a very good thing. But what they failed to do, and is not mentioned at all, is pray. They failed to pray. They had not understood the incident of the loaves.
The Lord always prayed: before storms, during storms and after storms. He prayed before every miracle, during every miracle and after every miracle. He prayed alone and in the presence of shouting fans and jeering critics. The Lord prayed everywhere: near mountains and in the middle of crowded streets in Jerusalem.
What’s important to note is that He prayed even though He is Lord.
The Lord meant to pass by them. To me, this is the most important verse in today’s passage. Why would the Lord do that to them? Didn’t He see that the disciples were struggling in the boat without Him? Didn’t He hear their calls for help? He did. In fact, He was with them, even if He was not in the boat.
Why did the disciples doubt? Why did their hearts grow weary? Or worse, why did their hearts harden? Because everywhere they went, they expected to see a miracle. With every labor of love, they expected to see good fruits. With every person they met, they expected to see an immediate conversion. With every step they took, they expected to see the hand and face of God, literally!
This is not so foreign to us. We always expect to get what we deserve. We always expect to have our prayers answered with a “yes”. We always expect a thank you after a good deed is done.
Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid. The Apostles needed to mature in their faith, for they had not understood the incident of the loaves. This “boat incident” was “boot camp”. It was time for the apostles to get used to the fact that they would have to rely on faith and prayer, not on sight and sounds. It was time for them to learn to not rely on their senses and satisfactions, but on Him and His promises.
And learn they did. They accomplished all they set out to do, without glamour, glitz or glee but rather with profundity and understanding.
What they had most to learn was that the Lord is always with them, regardless of whether or not they are being accepted or rejected, hugged or crucified. The Lord is always with them, in the boat and during the storm, seen or unseen. He loves them. He loves us. The apostles had nothing to fear. We have nothing to fear. All He asks is that we do exactly what He asks. Was He not the one who told them to get into the boat? Was He not the one who told them to go before Him? So, why did they doubt? Why did they struggle?
Because they did not pray.
Wednesday after Epiphany
Reading 1 1 JN 4:11-18
Beloved, if God so loved us,
we also must love one another.
No one has ever seen God.
Yet, if we love one another, God remains in us,
and his love is brought to perfection in us.
This is how we know that we remain in him and he in us,
that he has given us of his Spirit.
Moreover, we have seen and testify
that the Father sent his Son as savior of the world.
Whoever acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God,
God remains in him and he in God.
We have come to know and to believe in the love God has for us.
God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him.
In this is love brought to perfection among us,
that we have confidence on the day of judgment
because as he is, so are we in this world.
There is no fear in love,
but perfect love drives out fear
because fear has to do with punishment,
and so one who fears is not yet perfect in love.
Responsorial Psalm PS 72:1-2, 10, 12-13
R. (see 11) Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
O God, with your judgment endow the king,
and with your justice, the king’s son;
He shall govern your people with justice
and your afflicted ones with judgment.
R. Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
The kings of Tarshish and the Isles shall offer gifts;
the kings of Arabia and Seba shall bring tribute.
R. Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
For he shall rescue the poor when he cries out,
and the afflicted when he has no one to help him.
He shall have pity for the lowly and the poor;
the lives of the poor he shall save.
R. Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
Alleluia SEE 1 TM 3:16
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Glory to you, O Christ, proclaimed to the Gentiles.
Glory to you, O Christ, believed in throughout the world.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel MK 6:45-52
After the five thousand had eaten and were satisfied,
Jesus made his disciples get into the boat
and precede him to the other side toward Bethsaida,
while he dismissed the crowd.
And when he had taken leave of them,
he went off to the mountain to pray.
When it was evening,
the boat was far out on the sea and he was alone on shore.
Then he saw that they were tossed about while rowing,
for the wind was against them.
About the fourth watch of the night,
he came toward them walking on the sea.
He meant to pass by them.
But when they saw him walking on the sea,
they thought it was a ghost and cried out.
They had all seen him and were terrified.
But at once he spoke with them,
“Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid!”
He got into the boat with them and the wind died down.
They were completely astounded.
They had not understood the incident of the loaves.
On the contrary, their hearts were hardened.
MEDITATION 1: BRO. DON SCHWAGER
Does the Lord Jesus ever seem distant when trials or difficulties come your way? Right after Jesus performed the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes, he left his disciples by themselves so he could go to a remote place to pray alone.It was at Jesus' initiative that the disciples sailed across the lake of Galilee, only to find themselves in a life-threatening storm. Although they were experienced fishermen, they feared for their lives. The Lake of Galilee was known for its sudden storms whipped up by strong winds which swept down from the nearby mountains. The disciples must have cried out for help when they recognized that their boat was about to be capsized by the threatening waves.
Jesus always intercedes for us
Although Jesus was not physically with them in the boat, he nonetheless had been keeping vigilant watch for them in earnest prayer. When Jesus perceived their trouble he came to them walking on the sea and startled them with his sudden appearance. The disciples were terrified rather than joyful when they saw Jesus' presence on the water. They thought a ghost had appeared to seal their doom. They couldn't believe it was really him until he spoke words of assurance: "Don't give in to fear or panic, but take courage and be calm, because I am here for you and ready to help you in your need." Jesus not only calmed their fears, but the threatening waves and storm as well.
Do you recognize the Lord's abiding presence with you?
Does the Lord Jesus seem distant when trials and difficulties come your way? The Lord never leaves us alone, but keeps constant watch over us at all times, especially when we are tempted and feel weak or helpless. Do you look to the Lord Jesus to give you his strength and help when you are in need? Jesus assures us that we do not have to give into fear or discouragement if we put our trust in Him and remember his great love for us. He will see us through any trial that comes our way. When calamities and trials threaten to overwhelm you, do you respond with faith and hope in God's love and presence with you?
"Lord Jesus, may I never doubt your saving help and your ever watchful presence, especially in times of adversity. Fortify my faith with courage and my hope with steady perseverance that I may never waver in placing all my trust in you who are my all."
MEDITATION 2: FR. ALFONSE
Mark 6:45-52 He Meant To Pass By Them
After the Five thousand had eaten and were satisfied, Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and precede him to the other side toward Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. And when he had taken leave of them, he went off to the mountain to pray. When it was evening, the boat was far out on the sea and he was alone on shore. Then he saw that they were tossed about while rowing, for the wind was against them…He meant to pass by them.
They were satisfied. We are typically satisfied when we get what we want. When we don’t, we can easily get frustrated and upset.
After the five thousand had eaten and were satisfied, Jesus made his disciples get into the boat. The Lord’s disciples got into the boat content, satisfied. They had had their fill. What was missing? What was there to fear? They were in the Lord’s presence. They could touch Him and see Him. What else could they ask for? They had witnessed a miracle. They had seen the fruits of their labor. What else could anyone ever ask for?
But now, the Lord tells them to leave Him, to get into a boat and to journey “solo”. As the Lord went off to pray, his disciples encountered a storm.
They were being tossed about. So what did the disciples do? They rowed even harder. That’s not bad. That’s a very good thing. But what they failed to do, and is not mentioned at all, is pray. They failed to pray. They had not understood the incident of the loaves.
The Lord always prayed: before storms, during storms and after storms. He prayed before every miracle, during every miracle and after every miracle. He prayed alone and in the presence of shouting fans and jeering critics. The Lord prayed everywhere: near mountains and in the middle of crowded streets in Jerusalem.
What’s important to note is that He prayed even though He is Lord.
The Lord meant to pass by them. To me, this is the most important verse in today’s passage. Why would the Lord do that to them? Didn’t He see that the disciples were struggling in the boat without Him? Didn’t He hear their calls for help? He did. In fact, He was with them, even if He was not in the boat.
Why did the disciples doubt? Why did their hearts grow weary? Or worse, why did their hearts harden? Because everywhere they went, they expected to see a miracle. With every labor of love, they expected to see good fruits. With every person they met, they expected to see an immediate conversion. With every step they took, they expected to see the hand and face of God, literally!
This is not so foreign to us. We always expect to get what we deserve. We always expect to have our prayers answered with a “yes”. We always expect a thank you after a good deed is done.
Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid. The Apostles needed to mature in their faith, for they had not understood the incident of the loaves. This “boat incident” was “boot camp”. It was time for the apostles to get used to the fact that they would have to rely on faith and prayer, not on sight and sounds. It was time for them to learn to not rely on their senses and satisfactions, but on Him and His promises.
And learn they did. They accomplished all they set out to do, without glamour, glitz or glee but rather with profundity and understanding.
What they had most to learn was that the Lord is always with them, regardless of whether or not they are being accepted or rejected, hugged or crucified. The Lord is always with them, in the boat and during the storm, seen or unseen. He loves them. He loves us. The apostles had nothing to fear. We have nothing to fear. All He asks is that we do exactly what He asks. Was He not the one who told them to get into the boat? Was He not the one who told them to go before Him? So, why did they doubt? Why did they struggle?
Because they did not pray.