It is I. Do not be afraid

“When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they began to be afraid. But he said to them, “It is I. Do not be afraid.” They wanted to take him into the boat, but the boat immediately arrived at the shore to which they were heading.” (JN 6: 19-21)

“It is I” or literally—I AM, is not only reassurance given to His disciples, but also a self-revelation. “I am” was the name revealed by God to Moses at the burning bush.

The ancient fathers used to say: we listen to the story, let’s move to the mystery. This story was about Our Lord and His disciples, but the mystery is about His presence in our lives: when we are in the boat, far away from the land, when it is dark, when “the sea was stirred up because a strong wind was blowing” and when we are tired. Tired because after a long day with a lot of activities, when our plan to rest in the afternoon somehow disappeared after phone calls, when an important project is not finished and when everything is not as it should be. This is His specific place He chose to be with us. He put His victorious cross not on the top of our achievements but on the top of our sins. He is our help and our consolation. He talks to us every day: “It is I, do not be afraid.” It is I, who chose you, redeemed you, support you, lead you and protect you. You are never alone. I am always with you. Always, because I love you forever and I will be waiting for you when your days are done to take you back home, where you will be in my loving arms forever. When we invite Him to our fears in our boat, “the boat immediately arrives at the shore to which we are heading.” 

“Christ is risen, who made all things; he has shown mercy on all people.” (Gospel Acclamation)