Roman Catholic The Word Among Us Daily Mass Reading & Daily Meditation for Wednesday, 7 January 2015

Roman Catholic The Word Among Us Daily Mass Reading & Daily Meditation for Wednesday, 7 January 2015
Meditation - 1 John 4:11-12 My dear, dear friends, if God loved us like this, we certainly ought to love each other. No one has seen God, ever. But if we love one another, God dwells deeply within us, and his love becomes complete in us—perfect love!
13-16 This is how we know we’re living steadily and deeply in him, and he in us: He’s given us life from his life, from his very own Spirit. Also, we’ve seen for ourselves and continue to state openly that the Father sent his Son as Savior of the world. Everyone who confesses that Jesus is God’s Son participates continuously in an intimate relationship with God. We know it so well, we’ve embraced it heart and soul, this love that comes from God.
To Love, to Be Loved
17-18 God is love. When we take up permanent residence in a life of love, we live in God and God lives in us. This way, love has the run of the house, becomes at home and mature in us, so that we’re free of worry on Judgment Day—our standing in the world is identical with Christ’s. There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life—fear of death, fear of judgment—is one not yet fully formed in love.
Saint Raymond of Penyafort, Priest
Perfect love drives out fear. (1 John 4:18)
Recently, an episode of a children’s television show was banned from Australian television. It wasn’t because of any scandalous content, it was just common sense. The episode taught children not to be scared of spiders, which was fine for the country the show was made in. But in countries like Australia, where there are many poisonous spiders, children need to learn to be frightened of them!
It can be right and proper to experience fear where there is a good chance of something bad happening—whether it’s a spider bite, some other kind of negative consequence, or even a “punishment,” as John puts it in today’s reading. Fear is a natural, healthy response to a perceived threat.
But fear can get uncaged and start attaching itself to other areas of our lives. If not kept in its proper perspective, it can infect areas where God wants us to have joy and excitement: thoughts about the future, the question of our relationship with God, or our relationships with people who genuinely do love us.
These fears don’t have the last word; God does! Though you may feel fear hiding in your heart, waiting for just the right moment to derail your hopes or ideas, this isn’t God’s plan for you. He wants to give you a deep sense of security in his love. He wants to shine his light on the hidden places within you and drive out fear from where it lurks. You don’t have to be afraid. Your heavenly Father’s love and protection reach into all the days, weeks, and years that lie ahead. Remember that all fear is based on some kind of punishment or negative consequence. But for the one who embraces the Lord there is no punishment. No threat, no evil, can overcome that love.
So when danger and uncertainty rear their heads, lean into the love God has for you. As you dwell on that love, the fear will decrease. And even when you’re not afraid, focus on his love. Enjoy it, revel in it, and refract it to the world. Fear will lose its foothold, and you’ll feel more and more of God’s freedom!
“Lord, remind me always of your steadfast love. Come and reassure me, driving out my fears.” Amen!
Psalms 72: A Solomon Psalm
1-8 Give the gift of wise rule to the king, O God,
    the gift of just rule to the crown prince.
May he judge your people rightly,
    be honorable to your meek and lowly.
Let the mountains give exuberant witness;
    shape the hills with the contours of right living.
Please stand up for the poor,
    help the children of the needy,
    come down hard on the cruel tyrants.
Outlast the sun, outlive the moon—
    age after age after age.
Be rainfall on cut grass,
    earth-refreshing rain showers.
Let righteousness burst into blossom
    and peace abound until the moon fades to nothing.
Rule from sea to sea,
    from the River to the Rim.
9-14 Foes will fall on their knees before God,
    his enemies lick the dust.
Kings remote and legendary will pay homage,
    kings rich and resplendent will turn over their wealth.
All kings will fall down and worship,
    and godless nations sign up to serve him,
Because he rescues the poor at the first sign of need,
    the destitute who have run out of luck.
He opens a place in his heart for the down-and-out,
    he restores the wretched of the earth.
He frees them from tyranny and torture—
    when they bleed, he bleeds;
    when they die, he dies.
Mark 6: Walking on the Sea
45-46 As soon as the meal was finished, Jesus insisted that the disciples get in the boat and go on ahead across to Bethsaida while he dismissed the congregation. After sending them off, he climbed a mountain to pray.
47-49 Late at night, the boat was far out at sea; Jesus was still by himself on land. He could see his men struggling with the oars, the wind having come up against them. At about four o’clock in the morning, Jesus came toward them, walking on the sea. He intended to go right by them. But when they saw him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost and screamed, scared out of their wits.
50-52 Jesus was quick to comfort them: “Courage! It’s me. Don’t be afraid.” As soon as he climbed into the boat, the wind died down. They were stunned, shaking their heads, wondering what was going on. They didn’t understand what he had done at the supper. None of this had yet penetrated their hearts.
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