LIVE IT TODAY: Wednesday, January 7, 2026
I see you straining against the wind, and I come to you in the midst of the storm—do not be afraid.
LIVE IT TODAY: Wednesday, January 7, 2026
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GOD’S DECLARATION TO YOU TODAY
I see you straining against the wind, and I come to you in the midst of the storm—do not be afraid.
INVOCATION
Come, Holy Spirit! Through the intercession of Our Blessed Mother Mary, open my heart to hear and receive all that You desire for me. Draw me ever more deeply into the Love and Life of the Blessed Trinity!
GOSPEL | Mark 6:45–52
Gospel
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.
EVERY DAY QUESTION
What struck you? Challenged you? Inspired you? What questions did it raise?
GOING DEEPER
Jesus comes to us not after the storm ends, but while we are still struggling within it.
This Gospel begins with a surprising detail: Jesus makes the disciples get into the boat. Their struggle on the sea is not the result of disobedience, but of obedience. Following Christ does not exempt us from resistance; often it leads us straight into it.
Mark tells us Jesus goes to the mountain to pray while the disciples row against the wind. The scene is deliberately split—intercession on the mountain, exhaustion on the sea. Yet Jesus sees them. Distance does not diminish His attention. He watches long before He intervenes.
When Jesus comes toward them, walking on the sea, Mark uses striking language: “He meant to pass by them.” In the Old Testament, this phrase echoes moments of divine revelation—when God “passes by” Moses or Elijah to reveal His glory. This is not abandonment; it is epiphany. Jesus is revealing who He truly is.
The disciples’ fear is telling. They mistake the presence of Christ for a threat. Hardship has narrowed their vision. Mark explains why: they had not understood the incident of the loaves. Their hearts were hardened. The Greek term porōō (hardened) implies a dullness formed over time, not a sudden rebellion. Grace was given, but not yet fully received.
Jesus’ words cut through the fear: “It is I.” In Greek, egō eimi—the same divine self-identification spoken by God in Exodus. He is not merely offering reassurance; He is revealing His identity. When He enters the boat, the wind ceases—not because the storm was the problem, but because His presence was the solution.
This Gospel speaks directly to the domestic church. Families often find themselves rowing against forces they did not choose—illness, conflict, exhaustion, cultural pressure. We may even wonder if obedience has made things harder. Yet Jesus sees. He prays. He comes.
We parents are called to trust Christ’s presence even when our hearts feel dull or weary. We return to the loaves—to remember how He has already provided. And we pray over our children by name, confident that the Lord who walks on the water also enters our boats, bringing peace not by removing every storm, but by being with us within them.
“By his prayer, Jesus associates us with his prayer to the Father.” (CCC 2604)
LIFE APPLICATION QUESTIONS
In My Heart: Where am I straining in obedience and tempted to believe I am alone?
In My Home: What storm within our family needs to be entrusted more fully to Christ’s presence?
In My World: How can I help others recognize Christ when fear distorts their vision?
FAMILY LIVE IT
Make some time today to gather together and, going around, name one challenge or “storm” each person is facing right now.
Then, one by one, pray over each person by name, asking for courage to trust Christ’s presence, freedom from fear-driven lies of the Enemy, strength to persevere in obedience, and peace that comes from knowing Jesus is near.
Daily Challenge:
In a moment of stress today, pause and quietly pray, “It is You, Lord—I will not be afraid,” and act from trust rather than fear.
DAILY PARENT & GRANDPARENT BLESSING
LORD JESUS CHRIST, let Your holy anointing be upon each of our children, grandchildren, and godchildren this day and week, including all to whom they are called in vocation, and all future generations! In Your Sacred Name we claim them for You! We renounce all whispers, lies, and influences of the Enemy! We pray right now that each know Your loving Presence, be forged in virtue, and be flooded with an abundance of Your Holy Spirit to live fully their identity and mission in You now and through all eternity, through the intercession of our Blessed Mother! Amen.
PARENT BLESSING PROJECT: bit.ly/ParentBlessing
GOING VERTICAL
“Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10
Just as the vertical beam upholds the horizontal beam of the Cross, so too does undistracted, dedicated daily turning to God as our lifeblood uphold and strengthen every part of life. Start with just three minutes. Wait patiently for the breakthrough beyond the noise. Let Him speak.
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