+ January 7 Wednesday after Epiphany Reading 11 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 PsalmPS 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. AlleluiaSEE 1 TM 3:16R. Alleluia, alleluia. Glory to you, O Christ, proclaimed to the Gentiles. Glory to you, O Christ, believed in throughout the world. R. Alleluia, alleluia. GospelMK 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. Todays Meditation 1 John 4:11-18 January 7, 2015 Saint Raymond of Penyafort, Priest Perfect love drives out fear. (1 John 4:18) Recently, an episode of a children’s television show was banned from Australian television. It wasn’t because of any scandalous content, it was just common sense. The episode taught children not to be scared of spiders, which was fine for the country the show was made in. But in countries like Australia, where there are many poisonous spiders, children need to learn to be frightened of them! It can be right and proper to experience fear where there is a good chance of something bad happening—whether it’s a spider bite, some other kind of negative consequence, or even a “punishment,” as John puts it in today’s reading. Fear is a natural, healthy response to a perceived threat. But fear can get uncaged and start attaching itself to other areas of our lives. If not kept in its proper perspective, it can infect areas where God wants us to have joy and excitement: thoughts about the future, the question of our relationship with God, or our relationships with people who genuinely do love us. These fears don’t have the last word; God does! Though you may feel fear hiding in your heart, waiting for just the right moment to derail your hopes or ideas, this isn’t God’s plan for you. He wants to give you a deep sense of security in his love. He wants to shine his light on the hidden places within you and drive out fear from where it lurks. You don’t have to be afraid. Your heavenly Father’s love and protection reach into all the days, weeks, and years that lie ahead. Remember that all fear is based on some kind of punishment or negative consequence. But for the one who embraces the Lord there is no punishment. No threat, no evil, can overcome that love. So when danger and uncertainty rear their heads, lean into the love God has for you. As you dwell on that love, the fear will decrease. And even when you’re not afraid, focus on his love. Enjoy it, revel in it, and refract it to the world. Fear will lose its foothold, and you’ll feel more and more of God’s freedom! “Lord, remind me always of your steadfast love. Come and reassure me, driving out my fears.”
Posted on: Wed, 07 Jan 2015 04:28:44 +0000
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