If God so loved us, we also must love one another

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1 Jn 4:11-18, Mk 6:45-52. This is a wonderful day to ask for the love of God to drive away fear from our hearts as today's first reading makes us understand that there is no room for fear in true love. Fear is so debilitating and causeS damages to our peace, ability to face challenges with courage and ability to love. There are many things that can cause us to fear. Certainly bad experiences of the past can cause us to be afraid of the future and fear of being hurt again by our act of loving. This uncertainty alone can lead to fear of the unknown. Thus, the longer fear has a grip on us the deeper it gets. To be unafraid allows us to be bold, even to take risks we never would have taken before. It allows us to be less vulnerable and less guarded or defended. Peace and a calm life, in the absence of fear, allows us to hear better, see better, experience more fully and discern the movement of the Holy Spirit more freely. Today, we are invited to remain in God's love and let God remain in us, for God is love: "If God so loved us, we also must love one another." We can see the tragic results when we try to love God and not love our neighbour. Our credibility as witnesses of God's love in us will be questioned if our lives are not influenced by God's love. There is no fear in love, for God's love takes away our fear. Whatever that may happen to us, we should always bear in mind that we are in the loving embrace of our God, all the time. God's love for us is perfect - like no other love we have ever experienced. It is unconditional, for God does not love us only when, and if, we do this or that. God loves us because God made us; God knows our story; and God is aware of our pain and our sin. God loves us because God always wants to help us to be whole, free and loving. When we let ourselves experience, feel and embrace the security of that complete love like the disciples were in the embrace of the security of Jesus in today's Gospel, our fears begin to lessen and melt away. Whatever sea that tosses us around, whatever storm that threatens our security, whatever that fear begins to take hold of us. Jesus is there to say: "Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid!" May the Lord cast out fear that debilitates us and help us to stay focused on the loving presence of God so that we may face the challenges which confront us daily! Amen!! Stay safe and have a glorious day!!!