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 brought us more joy than opening the question paper on exam day, only to discover that the questions were much easier than we had anticipated. As humans, we prefer things to be simple, but sometimes God teaches us the hard way. Why didn’t Jesus command the waves to be still when He saw the wind was against the disciples and they were afraid? 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, and things do not go as we planned, we are often tossed from all sides by waves of disappointment, falsehood, failure, betrayal, and setback. 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 awaited them. 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 burnt, and the flame shall not consume you.”
We desire everything to be smooth and easy, like children who would do anything to avoid an examination. It doesn’t work that way. There are holiday times and exam times. God often allows us to walk through the valley of the shadow of darkness to show us that even in thick darkness, even amidst 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 to God like criminals hiding from the police. Instead, we relate to 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: O God, who bestow light on all the nations, grant your peoples the gladness of lasting peace and pour into our hearts that brilliant light by which you purified the minds of our fathers in faith. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one 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