John 6: 16-21
When evening came, Jesus’s disciples went down to the sea, got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were terrified. But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” Then they wanted to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the land toward which they were going.
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
Focus on Jesus
Fear plays a significant role in all of our lives. I wish it didn’t. It grows or dissipates in different seasons of our life. Sometimes, we are not even aware of how fear is acting in us, subtly controlling our reactions or orientations to situations or people.
I carry many fears around with me. And, like the disciples, they are rooted in what I do not understand or cannot control.
Jesus gives a two-fold response to his disciples' fear: “It is I. Do not be afraid.”
I think our fear dissipates when we can focus more on the first part of his response than the second. This is generally a good spiritual maxim, to focus more on what God is doing than what we are doing, or trying to do.
When we focus on Jesus, when we believe him when he says, “It is I,” the command to not be afraid becomes easier.
—Billy Critchley-Menor, SJ, is a Jesuit of the Midwest Province; he writes on Substack at From Every Side and currently studies at Boston College.
Prayer
Lord, when we focus on you, you help us to let go of our fear. May we embrace your command to not be afraid. Amen.
—Jesuit Prayer team