The Catholic Calendar for Wednesday, January 9, 2002
Tuesday After Epiphany
Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
1 John 4:11-18
Psalm 72:1-2,10,12-13
Mark 6:45-52
A Reflection on Today's Scripture:
In today's readings, we are invited to ponder the truth from Jesus
that "perfect love casts out fear". When we look at the Gospel, we
can see how imperfect the love of Jesus' disciples was at that point
in their relationship with the Lord. He had, earlier that day, fed
the five thousand, and they were overjoyed with the miracle.
Relieving hunger was something they readily understood. But the
deeper love and compassion underneath it eluded their grasp. And so,
as Jesus' appeared to them walking on the water, they panicked.
"Perfect love casts out fear", and they were not ready for total
surrender to the many ways in which Jesus would enter their lives.
Are we open to the mystery of God surrounding us, closely embracing
and holding us? Is He still "too much" for us? Think about this today
-- think about the ways in which you hold Him off, keep him at a
distance -- and then, in your final prayer, surrender a little more
of yourself to Him that He may do with you what He wants.
Msgr. Paul Whitmore ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
