There is a quiet truth at the center of our faith:
God has placed the virtue of charity in each of us.
Not the charity of giving things away,
but the deeper charity that lets us love God for His sake
and love our neighbor for His sake as well.
And when we pause long enough to notice it,
we realize there is nothing better in life
than to love the supreme Good who is God.
Every other love finds its meaning there.
Charity is the perfection of all love—
because it is God’s own life poured into our hearts.
Scripture reminds us of this again and again.
John tells us, “If God so loved us, we also must love one another.”
We cannot see God with our eyes,
but when we love—really love—
God remains in us,
and His love reaches its fullness in us.
This is how we know we belong to Him:
His Spirit moves in us,
teaching us to trust the love that sent the Son into the world.
And then John says something bold:
“There is no fear in love… perfect love drives out fear.”
Fear shrinks the heart.
Charity expands it.
Fear keeps us rowing against the wind.
Charity lets Christ step into the boat.
We see this so clearly in today’s Gospel.
The disciples are exhausted,
fighting the waves, overwhelmed by the dark.
Jesus comes to them across the water—
not to frighten them,
but to reveal Himself again as Love drawing near.
And His words are the same words He speaks to us today:
“Take courage. It is I. Do not be afraid.”
When charity lives in us,
when we choose to love God and neighbor for His sake,
the winds inside us begin to quiet.
Christ climbs into the boat,
and the storm loses its power.
May His love be perfected in us—
the love that steadies the heart,
casts out fear,
and makes us more like Him in this world.
Prayer
Lord Jesus,place Your charity deep within my heart.
Teach me to love the Father for His sake
and to love my neighbor for Yours.
Drive out every fear that keeps me rowing against the wind.
Step into my boat, calm the storms within me,
and let Your love be perfected in my life.
May I remain in You,
and may Your Spirit make me more like You
in this world You came to save.
Amen.
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