1 John 4:11-18 / Mark 6:45-52
Some people tend to believe in ghosts, a belief that at times seemed to be much greater than the belief in God.
And some people say that they can see "ghosts" and some of these stories can even make our skin creep.
Whatever we might want to think about these stories or about these people, it is interesting that the gospel mentioned the word "ghost".
The disciples thought they saw a ghost, and they were not just afraid - they were terrified.
Yet, the gospel also said that "Jesus was going to pass them by".
"To pass them by" is a biblical way of saying that a revelation of God is going to happen, ie. a theophany.
Just yesterday we heard how Jesus revealed God as teacher and provider in the multiplication of loaves.
Today, we heard how Jesus revealed His divinity as He walked on the rough waters.
The rough waters and the strong winds of life can make us afraid, and even terrified, and like the disciples, we see only the "ghosts" that is frightening us, but we miss what God is revealing to us.
So what does God want to reveal to us? The feast of Christmas reminds us that God sent His Son to reveal His love for us.
As the 1st reading puts it, God is love, and anyone who lives in love lives in God, and God lives in him.
In love there can be no fear, whether of ghosts or suffering or death.
In love, God continues to reveal and fill our hearts with His love.