Greetings on this the
Readings: 1 John 4:11-18; Psalm 72:1-2, 10, 12-13; Mark 6:45-52
Summary
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 (Mk 6:51-52).
The gospel portion today deliberately recaps a very important understanding. After the The Feeding of the Five Thousand and The Walking on the Water, the disciples were completely astounded (shocked) and their heart were hardened. This conclusion of these two stories hits like a thunderbolt.
It raises the question within me, ‘What proof do I need? and Why do I need more?” Especially for those in the moment of the miraculous feeding and the walking on water. The Church gives us the first reading as a way to understand our inner selves all the better.
God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him. 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. We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, “I love God,” but hates his brother, he is a liar. (1 Jn 4:16b, 18-19, 20).
Love casts out fear.
Yet we cling to fear, even in the presence of Holiness and the Miracles:
Fear is about punishment.
Fear is about hating others.
Reflection
In our sacred scripture today, in this period of Epiphany to Baptism, we are introduced to our lowest level of response: fear. Fear of the elements. Fear of others. Fear of the recognition that we hate others and God knows it. Fear is the lowest:
- because it closes relationship
- because it interprets God as threat, not gift
- because our hatred needs fear to be operative.
Personal Reflection
When Jesus gets into our boat, the storm does not necessarily stop — but fear does. The storm rages but we have no fear because Jesus is with us and we with him. It is that reality we must work to keep present. When they reached the shoreline, fear took its central place again. This is our challenge.
Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/010726.cfm
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry
Yes God is love. Amen 🙏.
So true. Lots of time fear is beyond the worst feelings and decisions and without us even realising it or we us simply hiding it, again to if fear to look inside ourselves.
Right!? When I think about the textbook definition of fear / hate and how it was used in sacred scripture it does offer me/we/us a way forward. Fear is a protective gift but a transitional gift. Not one to stay in but to transition out of. So interesting how scripture links fear-hate. How close together they are:
Fear – an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat.
Hate – feel intense or passionate dislike for (someone).
They seem more deeply rooted in us than faith! I menn, bread for 5,000 and calming the seas wasn’t enough. I deliberately didn’t prescribe solutions but used soliloquy to describe the condition. Oh, that my love would be my response to love and and then love response to hate and fear!
Very interesting! God bless you 🎁