"TAKE COURAGE, IT IS I,
DO NOT BE AFRAID!"
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).
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.