Mark 6: 45-52
After the five thousand had eaten and were satisfied, Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and precede him to the other side toward Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. And when he had taken leave of them, he went off to the mountain to pray. When it was evening, the boat was far out on the sea and he was alone on shore. Then he saw that they were tossed about while rowing, for the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them. But when they saw him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost and cried out. They had all seen him and were terrified. But at once he spoke with them, "Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid!" 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.
Dawg's thought:
Today's prayer intention is in the successful surgery of Fr. John Ehrich's father and for his recovery.
After reading today's reading, I decided to do a search on Google for "God with us" (Emmanuel). Some of the search results that came up were horrendous, which may be a blessing.
Today's reading reminded me that God truly is with us always. In the times when we don't think He's there, He is with us. In the times when our anxiety and our problems seem much greater than us, God is with us.
A while back, I heard a priest say that the prayer that comes after the Our Father during mass (Deliver us, Lord, from every evil ...) was a great prayer of healing. As I would hear it over the past few years, I never really got how it was a prayer of healing for it never addressed the healing of any injuries, issues, etc.
Yet, what hit me recently is how it is a prayer that trusts in Him. No matter what we are going through, "protect us from all anxiety ..."
Thankfully, today's reading reminded me once again that God is with us. "Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid."
Take care and God Bless.
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