Readings: 1 John 4:11-18, Ps. 72:1-2,10-13, Mark 6:45-52
“When they saw him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost and cried out, for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, ‘Take heart, it is I; have no fear.’” (Mark 6:49-50)
- Back in school, nothing gave us more joy than opening the question paper on the day of examinations only to find that the questions were far easier than we expected. As humans, we like everything made simple, but sometimes, God teaches us the hard way.
- How come Jesus did not command the waves to be still when He noticed the winds were against the disciples, and they were frightened? Why did Jesus have to walk on that very water that was troubled? Jesus wanted to teach His disciples a lesson: Trust!
- When we face troubles, challenges and difficulties, when things do not go as we planned, when we are tossed from all sides by the waves of disappointments, falsehood, failures, betrayals, setbacks, etc., we tend to ask questions such as, “God, where are you?” “Why me?” “Why this?” and “Why that?” Today, God says: “Even in your troubles, I am still with you.”
- Long before Jesus sent his disciples to cross the sea ahead of Him, He already knew what was coming their way. Wouldn’t it be nice if God took away any trial, difficulty, or hardship from our way? God says: “No! I know what is best for you. If I need you cold, I will take you through a river. If I need to burn off certain things from you, I will take you through fire.”
- This reminds me of God’s words in Isaiah 43:1-2, “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.”
- We want things smooth and easy, like children who would do anything to avoid an examination. It doesn’t work like that. There is holiday time, and there is exam time. God often allows us to go through the valley of the shadow of darkness to show us that even in thick darkness, even amid all the commotion and turbulence, He remains Lord and Ruler of the World. By walking on water, Jesus said: “No matter how tough your situation may be, it is not difficult for me because I am on top of it.”
- In today’s First Reading, St. John says: “In this is love perfected with us, that we may have confidence.” “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and he who fears is not perfected in love.” (1 John 4:17-18). When our love for God reaches perfection, we no longer relate with God like criminals hiding from the police. Rather, we relate with God as children brimming with confidence before their father.
- If we truly love God, we will trust Him completely. Even when things do not go as we would have preferred, we still allow Jesus' words to echo in our minds: “Take heart, it is I; have no fear.”
Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, we cast all our burdens upon you, knowing that even in troubled waters, you still walk gallantly. We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Wednesday after Epiphany Sunday Liturgical Colour: White. Bible Study: 1 John 4:11-18, Ps. 72:1-2, 10- 13, Mark 6:45-52).
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu