Daily Reflection for Wednesday January 6,2021
Peace and Blessings, Friends and Parishioners,
We encourage you to reflect on Wednesday’s readings at this link:
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/010621.cfm
If you prefer to use your own Bible, the readings are:
First Reading: 1 John 4: 11-18
Responsorial: Psalm 72: 1-2, 10, 12-13
Gospel: Mark 6: 45-52
Our reflection on Wednesday’s readings:
But at once he spoke with them and said, “Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid.” Mark 6: 50B “…perfect love drives out fear…” 1 John 4: 18A
Close your eyes and imagine being in the boat with the disciples that night. They were fighting blowing winds and getting tired from the endless rowing. Perhaps they felt like they were going nowhere against the winds of the storm. In their delirium, they think they see a ghost and are afraid. Jesus, calms their fears and says, “Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid.” His perfect love replaced their fear.
It was such as storm as I sat by my mom’s bedside. Each time she entered the hospital, the bladder infections created greater havoc on her body, eventually resulting in congestive heart failure and heart damage. She laid there, her body exhausted from fighting the infection and dehydration. I read the daily reading and journaled my prayer response to God. She slept.
When I finished journaling, questions began to enter my mind, making me feel helpless and fearful. I opened my phone to a rosary app and found the Divine Mercy Chaplet. Over and over, I prayed this Chaplet.
A knock came at the door. It was a physical therapist who wanted to know if he could evaluate my mother. Being an occupational therapist, I am quite aware of the evaluation process and the stakes for my mom if she completed the evaluation unsuccessfully. My reply indicated that she was quite fatigued, and I was unsure if she could participate. He replied that fatigue was no barrier for him, so I beckoned him in.
My mom woke up, mustered enough energy to complete the tasks asked of her and it was the beginning of her recovery. She gradually got stronger and became more alert. Praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet allowed Jesus to wrap us in the blanket of His perfect love. He had sent someone to help, and His love replaced the fear and helplessness that threatened to overcome me.
It is through storms such as these that I have come to know and believe in the love that God has for me. I would rather not experience storms, but I know when I do Jesus is there, wrapping me in His perfect love which replaces any fear. Thank you, Jesus!
Blessings for the journey!
Paula Paul