Daily reflection _ take courage, it is I, do not be afraid!

"TAKE COURAGE, IT IS I,
DO NOT BE AFRAID!"
"God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him," and "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear" (1 Jn 4:16, 18).
Deacon John Ruscheinsky
After the great miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fish, Jesus sends His disciples away to fend for themselves in the dark of the night, while a storm begins to brew on the sea. Although they were experienced fishermen, they were afraid for their lives. Jesus' sudden Presence on the sea brought even more fear to them. Mark, in his Gospel, says they "were terrified" (Mk 6:50). When they saw Jesus walking on the water they thought He was a ghost waiting for their imminent destruction. Jesus had to calm them with His voice saying, "Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid" (Mk 6:50)!
St. John tells us that fear is associated with punishment - fear of judgment, fear of sin, fear of death (Cf 1 Jn 4:18). Fear is sometimes expressed in the face of the difficult challenges and crosses one is called upon to accept. However, a remedy against fear is at hand! Jesus Christ gave the disciples the courage to cast off their anxiety and fear. Scripture reminds us that no fear can overtake us if we put our trust in God's love and care for us each day. St. John also tells us that "God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him," and "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear" (1 Jn 4:16, 18).
Today's Responsorial Psalm gives us the truths we need to know - that God's love abides in us. "He shall govern your people with justice and your afflicted ones with judgment...He shall have pity for the lowly and the poor; the lives of the poor He shall save" (Ps 72:2, 13).
Let this be our prayer today: We pray for just structures, for social awareness, and for human concern. May we receive the gift of God's peace that should also be the outward expression of an inner attitude of love, for God asks that we love each other!  Amen.