John 6: 16-21
Now when evening came, His disciples went down to the sea, and after getting into a boat, they started to cross the sea to Capernaum. It had already become dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The sea began to be stirred up because a strong wind was blowing. Then, when they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near to the boat; and they were frightened. But He said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” So they were willing to receive Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.
Jesus says to us, “Be not afraid; I go before you always; come and follow me, and I will give you rest.” He knows where our lives are at this point in time, and he knows what shall become of our lives in the future. Today he is calling each one of us to follow him in a more loving and personal way; are we listening? He knows where we are going, and is waiting to receive us with open arms; Be not afraid!
One of my favorite passages. Always reminds me of Pope John Paul II. He was always stressing to “be not afraid.” It is something I try to live by but usually fall short of. How nice would life be without concern or worry?
beautiful! Thanks!!
“Be not afraid; I go before you always; come and follow me, and I will give you rest.” i really like that, we must not forget.
"Duc in altum" (Lk5:4) “Put out into the deep…” Papa Johannes Paulus II is truly a great shepherd leading us to Jesus even today!
Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, Ora Pro Nobis Peccatoribus!
Mark
Those words spoke to me. I suffer from anxiety and I found the passage to be soothing. It’s as if I live in a constant “storm.” Thanks for posting.
My favorite song is based on that scriptural text and oddly enough entitled “Be Not Afraid”…I used to sing it to my daughter while I rocked her to sleep.
We all need to get to the point where “we are not afriad”. This is also my favorite song, as it is so personal. God did not give us the spirit of fear but of LOVE, POWER and A Sound MIND.
Fr.Larry Richards recently spoke at out parish and he said the Bible says 365 times…“be not afraid”…you think God is trying to tell us something???
andray68
That is a great question. I am a 50 year old man, married, father of two fine young adults, and one of a family of ten children. The world is a very complicated, demanding, and very stressful place; I must admit, I do worry about many things, but the more I place my trust in the Lord, the more I am at ease. I’ve come to realize through the years that we have control over some things in our lives, but very little control over many other circumstances we will encounter along the way. I believe that is why the Lord gave us these three beautiful words, “Be not afraid.” The Lord knew fully that our human condition would lead us to worry and be afraid. Faith is something that all the wealth in this world could never buy; trust allows us to take these words to heart, “Be not afraid.” I am not afraid, I trust God.
Here is a really good example of faith in action when it comes to “be not afraid.” It is about a priest that was stabbed in a confessional last Saturday
Thank you for putting this song in my mind today. Our ever powerful and loving God is with us always. We only need to go to Him and He will give us rest!
Our country is so at unrest right now with all the financial worries affecting thousands of people. We have to trust in God - He only can bring us through the rough spots.
Be not afraid, for I am with you always. Come unto Me, and I will give you rest!
**I]Brother, the Lord wants us to have faith in Him, and not be afraid to carry out our Christian mission, of love, charity and peace.-for in giving, we too shall receive and the world will be a happier place to live in. Absolute Faith in the Lord God moves mountains and makes all things possible, in the Christian context, also, very much on a personal level…**MarieLee