[ Today's Readings ]
It had already grown dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them.
Jesus, we are prone to fear. When we don't perceive you nearby we assume that you are far from us. Then when the seas are dark and dangerous we focus on the danger and on the fear. We focus on them because we only know how to focus on you when you make your presence obvious to us. But even when your presence is not obvious it does not mean that you have forgotten us or that you are far away. Teach us to look up from the crashing waves. Teach us to find you even in the storms. Even when you aren't in our boats and haven't yet come to us in the ways we expect don't let us give up.
When they had rowed about three or four miles,
they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat,
and they began to be afraid.
We think that you can't have any part of these crazy storms. We think you only belong on calm and still waters. And so when we see you in the storm we don't recognize you and we fear.
But he said to them, “It is I. Do not be afraid.”
They wanted to take him into the boat,
but the boat immediately arrived at the shore
to which they were heading.
Help us to look for you even amidst the waves. Help us to recognize that you come to us with your mercy and love even in the storms.
I have set the LORD always before me;
because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken (see Psalm 16:8).
Continue to spread your word, LORD Jesus. Continue to increase the number of people who are obedient to the faith. Fill you Church with your Holy Spirit and nourish her by the word of God. We need this message LORD. The waves are getting high. The winds are fierce and the night is dark. But with you at our right hand we shall not be shaken.
See, the eyes of the LORD are upon those who fear him,
upon those who hope for his kindness,
To deliver them from death
and preserve them in spite of famine.
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