For a world still living with the pandemic looming over heads, Christmas reminded us that we have a light shining bright for us. That is the light of Christ that brings peace, love and joy.
Having entered into the new year have we quickly forgotten? Are we already worn out once again, by rowing our boats frantically against the wind of the world we live in. Perhaps it is time to go into the ‘hills’ to pray and to recollect how God has been and always will be with us. To call upon Jesus who will come swiftly into our boats as He calms the winds and the sea. Then we can once again live free to love and serve Him and our brethren.
For to love brethren is to love Him and because we live in Him, Jesus our Lord and God lives in us. Our love for one another is perfected through Him. Amen
First reading
1 John 4:11-18 ·
As long as we love one another God’s love will be complete in us
My dear people,
since God has loved us so much,
we too should love one another.
No one has ever seen God;
but as long as we love one another
God will live in us
and his love will be complete in us.
We can know that we are living in him
and he is living in us
because he lets us share his Spirit.
We ourselves saw and we testify
that the Father sent his Son
as saviour of the world.
If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God,
God lives in him, and he in God.
We ourselves have known and put our faith in
God’s love towards ourselves.
God is love
and anyone who lives in love lives in God,
and God lives in him.
Love will come to its perfection in us
when we can face the day of Judgement without fear;
because even in this world
we have become as he is.
In love there can be no fear,
but fear is driven out by perfect love:
because to fear is to expect punishment,
and anyone who is afraid is still imperfect in love.
Gospel
Mark 6:45-52
His disciples saw him walking on the lake
After the five thousand had eaten and were filled, Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to Bethsaida, while he himself sent the crowd away. After saying goodbye to them he went off into the hills to pray. When evening came, the boat was far out on the lake, and he was alone on the land. He could see they were worn out with rowing, for the wind was against them; and about the fourth watch of the night he came towards them, walking on the lake. He was going to pass them by, but when they saw him walking on the lake they thought it was a ghost and cried out; for they had all seen him and were terrified. But he at once spoke to them, and said, ‘Courage! It is I! Do not be afraid.’ Then he got into the boat with them, and the wind dropped. They were utterly and completely dumbfounded, because they had not seen what the miracle of the loaves meant; their minds were closed.
CatholicJules.net 