“They were all afraid. Jesus spoke to them at once, ‘courage!’ he said, ‘it is I, don’t be afraid!’” (Mk 6:50)

 “They were all afraid. Jesus spoke to them at once, ‘courage!’ he said, ‘it is I, don’t be afraid!’” (Mk 6:50)

Today’s Passages: Mk 6:45-52; 1Jn 4:11-18

Meditation: The meditation verse given to us today rightly unfolds the pastoral care and concern of Jesus Christ for his people and disciples. The word of the Lord says, “Jesus is Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (Heb 13:8) In the book of Revelation he says, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the one who is and who was and who is to come, the almighty.” (Rev 1:8) Therefore, he continues the same care and concern he had for them upon us too.

Is there anything more than this to be reflected upon? Yes, certainly! One of the aspects to be noted is the way he did his daily ministries. Even when Jesus was tired of his day long ministries, he could find time to send the people off to their own villages after feeding them; make his disciples get into the boat and precede him to the other side of the lake Tiberius, and go to pray off to the mountain. While he was praying to God the father he knew that his disciples were in great danger. Right away he came to their help.

However, they were totally afraid and on seeing Jesus, were terrified too. Jesus spoke to them at once, “Courage!” he said, “It is I, don’t be afraid!” (Mk 6:50) It is of course a word of great comfort for us. What we heard during the Christmas season has become realized now; he is truly Emmanuel. We hear the same message from the risen Jesus too: “Behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” (Mt 28:20) Why were they, then, afraid?

In the second reading we find its answer, “There is no fear in love; perfect love drives out all fear. So then, love has not been made perfect in anyone who is afraid, because fear has to do with punishment.” (1Jn 4:18) Even from our day to day life, we know that whenever we lose the real love in our relationships then somehow we lose also the power or capacity to identify their sounds, figures etc. The result is we keep ourselves distant from them. But the real love follows the person even in his/her absence. Many a widow/widower faces the challenges of their life, simply with the courage they receive from the loving memories of their late partner. 

I do remember a mother who recognized and received her son who had left the house in his childhood and returned after some thirty-five years. It was just like the way Mary Magdalene recognized the call of Jesus, “Mary,” (Jn 20:16) and the way the beloved disciple cried to Peter, “It is the Lord.” (Jn 21:7) Do I really hear the voice of my Lord in my daily life? Do I recognize his loving interventions in my personal life? Unless and until I keep a personal relationship with him, I cannot recognize him while he intervenes in my life.

Prayer: Lord God, we thank you and praise you for your daily eternal bread and especially for the New Year of 2015. Often we forget the fact that it is you who loved us first and gave your life for our salvation. It is only because of your precious blood that we are freed from the clutches of sin. Lord, help us, therefore, to live a life fully and faithfully dedicated to you and to you only by the power of the Holy Spirit. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen!  

Greetings: God is with you! Have a blissful Wednesday!