"TAKE COURAGE, IT IS I, DO NOT BE
AFRAID!"
Fear is sometimes expressed in the face of the difficult challenges and
crosses one is called upon to accept. However, a remedy is at hand against
fear.
After the great
miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes, 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. The sudden presence on the sea of an unknown figure
even brought 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.
"Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid!" St. John also tells us
that fear is associated with punishment, judgment, sin, and death (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 is at hand against fear. Jesus
Christ gave the disciples the courage to cast their anxiety and fear.
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 to rescue the poor and the
afflicted. He shall have pity for the lowly and the poor; the lives of the poor
he shall save (Ps 72).
Points to Pray and Ponder: We pray for courage to trust God so that we might
receive the gift of God's peace. This is the peace that should also be the
outward expression of an inner attitude of love; for God asks that we love each
other!